§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the new bridge management system will be operative; and what his latest estimate is of the cost of completing the bridge strengthening programme. [145543]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe information is as follows:
Bridge Management System
For motorways and trunk roads, the Highways Agency's Structures Management Information System (SMIS) first became operational in December 2000 and was networked to the Highways Agency's Consultant Agents' offices in May 2001.
For local roads, the Department for Transport has recently let a contract on behalf of the UK Bridges Board that will produce new advice for local authorities on the management of their bridge stock.
429WBridge Strengthening Programme
The cost of the bridge strengthening programme for the motorways and trunk roads in England to meet the EU requirements to carry safely 38 and 40 tonne vehicles from January 1999 was £636 Million.
The cost of outstanding strengthening and major maintenance for local authority bridges in England was estimated in 2000 to be £750 million. This estimate is currently being revised.