HC Deb 27 May 2004 vol 421 cc1776-7W
Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) cars, (b) vans and (c) lorries on average use the M6 toll road each day. [175959]

Mr. McNulty

Since the opening of the M6 Toll in December 2003 a monitoring programme has been carried out. An initial report, compiled from surveys carried out on behalf of the Highways Agency, is being prepared and is due to be published in the near future. More comprehensive reports are scheduled for one year and five years after opening.

However, the M6 Toll concessionaire, Midland Expressway Ltd., has published figures showing that the average 24-hour weekday (Monday to Friday) two way traffic flow recorded in April 2004 was 47,247 vehicles per day (vpd). Weekend flows are lower at 39,575 vpd.

Currently, there is no breakdown between cars, vans and lorries available but indications are that traffic flows comprise mainly cars and light vehicles with HGVs continuing to use the original M6 route.

Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost of constructing the M6 toll road was. [175960]

Mr. McNulty

The M6 Toll has been privately financed by Midland Expressway Ltd. (MEL) under a 53 year concession agreement awarded by the Government in 1992. The construction costs awarded by MEL to its contractor at tender stage were £485.5 million. The overall costs are a matter for MEL but I understand that the development cost incurred is in the region of £900 million. This includes cost of land, interest on loans, consultancy, management, and legal fees.