Mr. Michael Kennedy:

In the cost-benefit analysis of a scheme one would look at the existing history of that section of road. There are standard values that would then apply to the new-build sections such as accident rates that are set out on upgraded road networks and agreed with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. These are standard appraisal values. We publish them in our projects appraisal documentation section of our website as accident types by road type. Going from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway or motorway, one gets a far improved road safety record.