IN the year ended March 31,. 1959, I £44,024,000 was
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spent on major road improvements and new construction, compared with £23,416,000 in 1957-58. The value of new works upon trunk and special roads authorized last year was £34,310,000 (excluding land), compared with £46,772,846 in the previous year.
This drop is largely because the 195758 figure included the cost of the Ml. In pursuit of the intention to provide dual carriageways along the Great North Road between London and Newcastle upon Tyne—a distance of 270 miles— work on 24 miles was completed and construction of another 57 miles was authorized. Before 1958-59 the mileage of dual carriageway was 20.
These figures are contained in the Minister of Transport's report on roads in England and Wales, published last week. It is stated that much preparation has been done towards the introduction of a scheme for the periodic testing of vehicles over 10 years old, and it is expected that regulations will be Made to bring the scheme into operation shortly.
More than 13,000 garages have applied for appointment as authorized examiners, and about 80 local authorities may be designated to operate testing stations.