asked the Minister for the Environment if in respect of the road plan recently published he will state the mileage of road which will be (a) commenced and (b) completed in each of the years 1985 to 1988, inclusive, distinguishing between each class of road in each year and showing the total expenditure in each year and showing the proportion of such expenditure which will be expended on (a) direct labour schemes and (b) contracts with contractors.
Written Answers. - Road Plan.
597.
Because of the various stages involved in road construction (land acquisition, earthworks, foundations, surfacing etc.) and because cost per mile varies by reference to factors such as the standard of road to be provided, land acquisition costs, the amount of earthworks involved, the soil conditions, the provision of bridges, the replacement of services and so on, the length of road commenced or completed in a particular year is not regarded as a particularly useful measure of performance. The new road plan (PI. 2948, pages 23 to 28) does, however, provide information on the expected commencement and/or completion dates for major improvement projects on the national and major urban routes during the period 1985 to 1987 and on the length of road to be constructed in each case. While the plan also lists projects to be undertaken after 1987, the commencement and completion dates have not been provided pending the determination of priorities using cost benefit and other studies.
As announced in the new road plan, the Government will provide the following funds for road improvements in the period 1985 to 1987:
|
£ million (current prices) |
|||
|
Year |
Major Improvement Works |
Other Improvement Works |
Total |
|
1985 |
72 |
53 |
125 |
|
1986 |
93 |
47 |
140 |
|
1987 |
106 |
49 |
155 |
The level of funding for 1988 has not yet been decided.
It is estimated that £35 million or 28 per cent of the State provision for improvement works this year will relate to contract schemes at various stages of development. While I am not in a position at this stage to indicate what the percentage will be in the coming years, I expect that it will increase due to the number of major projects (especially bridges) which will be financed under the accelerated road improvement programme set out in the new road plan.