To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 247W, on road traffic: Essex, what major maintenance improvements he is contemplating; which auxiliary lane scheme he will approve for the Hatfield Peverel to Witham section; whether the £24.5 million expenditure is additional to money already earmarked for spending on trunk roads in the East of England; and when the allocation of funding to these projects will be confirmed. (235118)

The Kelvedon Phase 2 major maintenance scheme is already funded and will begin construction on 13 November 2008. The future programme of works for the financial year 2009-10 will include both the Witham Phase 2 works and the Hatfield Peverel Auxiliary Lane scheme, both being programmed for construction concurrently.

The Hatfield Peverel Auxiliary Lane section of the works will involve the construction of a southbound auxiliary lane between Junctions 21 and 20B of the A12, along with improvements to the northbound slip road at Junction 20B. This scheme will take place entirely within the current highway boundary.

There will not be any requirement for additional money for the construction of the schemes as all design and construction costs will be taken from the Highways Agency's regular funding.

Allocation of funding for schemes programmed to start during the financial year 2009-10 will be confirmed early 2009.