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Roads Maintenance Budget

Answer

The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 28 March 2006:"You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what assessment has been made of the effect of changes in the roads maintenance budget on the construction and aggregates industry.""I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.""In doing so I should perhaps explain that in the last 3 years a total of some £735m has been spent on developing and maintaining the road network in Northern Ireland. Some £495m has been invested in revenue activities, including maintenance, with a further £240m on capital. Over the next 10 years the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland envisages that some £1.9 billion will be invested in road improvements subject to the availability of resources in future budget rounds, economic appraisals and statutory approvals.""Expenditure this year, coupled with the Revised Budget allocations, suggests that about £170m will be invested in roads' structural maintenance in the three years to 2007/08. When assessing budget figures, a single year's allocation is of course important, but it is also important to see these figures over a cycle.""You may be aware that the Minister for Regional Development, Shaun Woodward MP recently met with your colleague Margaret Ritchie MLA and members of the local Quarry Products Association (QPA) to discuss the outcome of the Budget and Priorities 2006–2008 and the impact on the structural maintenance budget. In addition senior officials from Roads Service have also held a number of meetings with the QPA.""I fully appreciate the concerns of the road building industry about the funding for structural maintenance and can assure you that Roads Service will be making a strong case for an increase in the structural maintenance budget to the Department of Finance and Personnel as part of the input to the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.""In the interim, we will continue to make the best use of our resources to develop and maintain the road network.""I hope this information is helpful."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

444 c929-30W;444 c929-30W; 62085

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Northern Ireland Roads

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk