3.4 In March 2008, the new Secretary of State for Transport requested reassurance on the decision to proceed with the widening. In supporting the case for widening Sections One and Four the Agency estimated that the savings from using Active Traffic Management would be offset by other costs (Figure 10 overleaf). We consider these calculations were a very cautious estimate as:
• The Agency offset maintenance costs over 30 years against upfront savings, without carrying out a discounted cash flow. This overstated the offsetting costs.
• It is questionable whether the £140 million of additional costs to other projects would arise.
3.5 The Agency was also awaiting a further report on the evaluation of the trial that was due in July 2008. Until this further data became available, the Agency concluded that there was insufficient information to carry out a full economic, safety and environmental appraisal.