Written question asked by Andrew Smith (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 February 1997. It was answered by John Watts (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 February 1997 on behalf of the Department of Transport.

Dept of Transport

Question: What assessment his Department has made of the proposal for a new Swale bridge to the Isle of Sheppey; what provision has been made for this project in his Department's future programme; and what priority has been accorded to the project.

Answer: Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the proposal for a new Swale bridge to the Isle of Sheppey; what provision has been made for this project in his Department's future programme; and what priority has been accorded to the project. [16025] Mr. Watts: Proposals for a second crossing of the Swale to the Isle of Sheppey are part of the A249 Iwade-Queenborough improvement scheme. Draft line and side roads orders under the 1980 Highways Act were published for the scheme on 23 January. Economic, environmental and engineering assessments were carried out as part of that process. The economic appraisal involved the usual cost-benefit methodology applied to all major trunk road improvement proposals. The environmental assessment, in accordance with EC regulations, considered visual impact--including consulting Royal Fine Arts Commission--the effect on the local ecology, as well as more general environmental impacts. The results of this assessment were also published in an environmental statement on 23 January and placed on deposit locally for public inspection. The engineering assessment, comprised value management and value engineering as well as checks to ensure that the proposals comply with our national standards. This scheme has been given priority to progress it to draft order stage. Its future progress will depend upon the successful completion of the remaining statutory procedures.

Secondary information