Road review report due out next week
Page 12
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Ml The Government is expected to invite the praise of hauliers— and the wrath of environmentalists—next week by approving two of the country's most controversial road schemes. Next Tuesday (22 July) it is due to announce its decisions following its review of a dozen schemes in the abn roads programme.
Despite opposition from Environmental Protection Minister Michael Meacher, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is expected to support the £85m widening of the M25 between Junctions 12-15 to six lanes, and the ,f 500m Birmingham northern relief road which will be Britain's first pri vately tolled motorway. Labour opposed both road schemes when it was in opposition.
However, there are fears that the £76m Salisbury bypass will be dropped. Other road schemes in the balance include an extension to the M66 between Denton and Middleton, a widening of the A2/M2 at Cobham, the Derby southern bypass and M62E/M606 link roads, and five privately financed design, build, finance and operate (DBFO) schemes.
The British Road Federation warns that roads contractors are likely to sue the Government if the DBFO schemes are scrapped.