asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the purpose of the work recently carried out along the eastbound carriageway of the A12 trunk road between Ingatestone and Chelmsford; and what was the cost.

The work is to develop a more effective and economic road edge that will reduce the total costs of construction and maintenance whilst retaining good drainage, safety and traffic characteristics. The total cost to date is £1,200 out of an estimated expenditure of £3,000.