§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the cost per mile of using a noise absorbing surface on motorways. [83904]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Mathews to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Ginny Clarke to Mr. Prentice, dated 3 December 2002:
I have been asked by the Transport Minister, David Jamieson, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the cost per mile of using a noise—absorbing surface on motoways. I am replying in the absence of Tim Mathews the Chief Executive who is currently away on Highways Agency business.
The cost varies considerably depending on site specific issues such as:
the overall size of the contract,
wheather the existing surface is to be planed out and to what depth, or overlaid,
the thickness of the material to be laid and the number of layers,
whether the work is to be carried out during the day or at night, re-opening the carriageway during the day,
the complexity and duration of the traffic management necessary and,
whether it is necessary to resurface the hard shoulders or carry out adjustments to other road items.
The cost per mile for surfacing laid on both carriageways of a dual three—lane motorway would be expected to range between £200,000 and £450,000. These costs are for the quieter surfacings currently being used on the trunk road network in line with Government policy. They do not include the cost of porous asphalt for which no recent prices are available. Based on past experience however, this would be considerably more expensive; we estimate perhaps £600,000 to £700,000 per mile.
If it would be helpful, John Williams in our pavement engineering team, would be pleased to discuss the quieter surfacings in current use on the trunk road network with you. His telephone number is 01234 796116.