asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the proposed reduction of £16 million capital allocation for national primary roads the plans, if any, he has to encourage joint ventures between local authorities and the private sector to ensure continuation of a national primary road building programme.
Written Answers. - National Primary Road Building Programme.
65.
The 1988 capital provision for road improvement works for all classes of roads is £120 million, compared with £136.15 million in 1987.
My Department has already indicated that joint venture funding of road projects involving the collection of tolls will be considered where private investors are in general, prepared to meet at least 25 per cent of the cost of the project, with the exact level being determined by negotiation in each individual case taking account of all relevant factors.
The general question of private sector funding of road works is one of the issues which will be addressed in a blueprint for road development over the next 20 years, which I propose to publish within a few months.