---

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the roads review. [11286] Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make an announcement on the outcome of the accelerated roads review. [10665] Mr. Faber: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of the A36 road improvement between Codford and Heytesbury. [11057] Dr. Strang: I am today launching a public consultation on the roads review. This seeks views on the role which the trunk road network should play in our integrated transport strategy. Our general approach is to look at the transport problems which lie behind proposals for roads schemes and then to seek solutions which are environmentally sustainable. We invite comments on how we should respond to increasing congestion. We intend to bring a fresh approach to the process of making decisions on the roads programme. We will take a more strategic view and judge proposals on the criteria of accessibility, safety, economy, the environment and integration--which we are adding to the four manifesto criteria as it is fundamental to our whole approach to transport policy. A further key aspect is the development of an investment strategy for the trunk road network. The consultation invites contributions to this process. Other issues raised include where responsibility should lie for the trunk roads; how trunk roads investment should be planned in the future as part of strengthened arrangements of co-ordinating the planning of land-use, economic development and transport at the regional level; and funding of the trunk road system. The Government remains committed to seeking ways for the private sector to contribute to the provision of transport infrastructure including, where appropriate, road construction and maintenance projects. The review will consider the possibilities. Copies of the consultative document, "What Role for Trunk Roads in England?" are being sent to interested parties and placed in the Library of the House. It is also available from my Department and on the Internet. I am also today announcing the results of our accelerated review of 12 urgent cases. They have all been assessed against the criteria of integration, accessibility, safety, economy and environmental impact. We have concluded that: The environmental disbenefits including, in particular, the impact on a sensitive landscape, of the proposed Salisbury bypass outweigh the benefits to through traffic and to Salisbury and the villages bypassed. The scheme has therefore been cancelled. A study will consider alternative solutions to the area's traffic problems. The remaining schemes in the former Wessex link project will be considered on their merits in the main review. The Inspector's recommendations on the Birmingham northern relief road should be accepted and the scheme approved. This is a nationally strategic route of the first importance. The capacity of the M6 at this point cannot be increased. The BNRR also opens up opportunities for more integrated road- rail freight links. The full reasons for this decision are set out in the decision letter, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. It is now up to the concessionaire to show what the private sector can do and deliver this vital project quickly. The A13 Thames gateway schemes will be taken forward. These will provide the transport infrastructure needed for regeneration of east London and docklands. They will help improve accessibility to areas of east London including the Royal docks and the lower Lea valley where key development sites are capable of generating significant job opportunities. The M66 Denton Middleton contract 3 and the A564 Derby Southern bypass contract B will go ahead. Both are final links necessary to unlock the full benefits of much larger projects. The M66 scheme is the final six mile section of the strategic Manchester motorway box. The Derby southern bypass is similarly the final section in a strategic east-west route. We will honour the commitment given by the previous Government to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill Committee to use all reasonable endeavours to see that the M2/A2 widening works are completed within the period of the construction of the CTRL and that the construction arrangements of the two projects are co-ordinated to minimise disruption to the public. This scheme will facilitate integrated road and rail investment and services, for example by encouraging full use of Ebbsfleet station on the CTRL. The M62/M606 link roads will be considered further in the main review. An early decision is not required on transport grounds. The A40 scheme in the west of London would have the effect of encouraging car commuting where public transport alternatives exist. This would not be justified and the scheme will therefore be cancelled. Alternative solutions to local problems will be sought. Having reviewed the Cumbria-Bradford, South Midlands and Weald and Downland projects on transport grounds against our criteria, we have concluded that the individual schemes in these projects do not merit priority over many similar schemes which are to be considered in the main review. The schemes which made up these projects will be considered in the main review. We will continue to consider in detail whether the M25 should be widened between Junctions 12 and 15 as proposed as a controlled motorway, with appropriate traffic management measures, complemented by other transport strategies.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

10665; 299 c34-5W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Finance Environment protection Transport Roads Reviews Integrated Transport Policy Review Group