§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the status in planning law of the conference to be held on the future of the A.303 where that road passes through the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and close to Stonehenge itself; and
What was the cost to the public of the consultation exercise concerning the A.303 that took place two years ago, and why the proposals that were then agreed by Ministers to be "non-starters" were re-issued by the Highways Agency; and
Whether written evidence is not to be considered during the present consultation exercise on the routeing of the A.303 near Stonehenge, and, if so, what effect this is expected to have on the participation of those who participated in the first exercise; and
Whether the Highways Agency had the explicit approval of Ministers for their omission to consult the National Trust, given that inalienable National Trust land is affected by some of their proposals; and
Whether the Ministry of Defence approves of the Highways Agency's proposals which affect its land and its interest near Stonehenge; and
What costs the Highways Agency has incurred to date in mounting a second consultation exercise and "brochure drop", what further costs are anticipated; and whether the agency's procedures represent value for money for the taxpayer; and
Whether it was with Ministers' explicit agreement that the Highways Agency's September 1995 brochure omits mention of the "long tunnel" for the A.303 where that road passes through the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and close to Stonehenge itself, which Ministers earlier undertook to "examine seriously" and which alone met with general approval, both national and international, in the course of the last (Department of Transport) consultation exercise; and
Whether they will instruct the Highways Agency to publish the cost benefit analyses it or its consultants have done in relation to each of the routes mentioned in the agency's 1995 brochure (including those previously rejected by Ministers) and specifically the "long tunnel" alternative, which Ministers undertook to have "seriously" examined; and
136WAWhether they will now require the Highways Agency to disclose (a) the "value" they have put on Stonehenge, on the other monuments in the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, and on the World Heritage Site itself in their cost benefit calculations, (b) how these figures were reached and (c) whether the figures were subjected to informed external examination and if so by whom; and
Whether a public inquiry under planning law is precluded by the various "consultation" exercises being conducted on the future of Stonehenge, and specifically of the A.303 "improvement" where that road passes close to Stonehenge and through the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)The conference on the A.303 Amesbury to Berwick Down improvement scheme is a non-statutory procedure and has no formal status under planning law. The aim of the conference is to give all interested parties an opportunity to explore and debate possible ways of overcoming the traffic problems on this length of trunk road. Conferences on other schemes have been successful in identifying a consensus on the major issues and possible ways forward.
The consultation which was held in 1993 cost about £32,000 for the exhibition, the brochure and the archaeological seminars. This figure does not include the salaries of the Highways Agency staff and consultants who would have been working on the scheme even if the consultation had not taken place. The possible routes which have been considered thus far were shown at the public exhibition for no other reason than to provide information for those who will be attending the conference. It was made clear in the conference brochure that the Yellow and Grey routes were withdrawn in July 1994; and that the conference will not be restricted to the routes illustrated.
Written submissions can be made to the chairman of the conference. All written submissions received by the chairman will be made available to those who attend the conference but they will only be debated and considered by the conference at the chairman's discretion.
Throughout the preparation of the scheme, the Highways Agency have consulted the National Trust on all issues of interest to them, including the possible effects on inalienable land. The National Trust have indicated that they will attend the conference.
The Highways Agency have also consulted the Ministry of Defence, who have no objection to the holding of the conference and will be sending a delegate to represent their interests.
The costs incurred so far on the conference and exhibition are £44,000. The Highways Agency anticipate further costs amounting to £34,000. We are satisfied that the procedures do give the taxpayer good value for money, in view of the importance of the issues being debated and the very high costs of some of the solutions suggested.
The conference brochure states that tunnels were carefully considered and specifically that various long 137WA tunnels were "considered but rejected as being unaffordable".
The Highways Agency have carried out cost benefit analyses. The estimated cost of the "long tunnel alternative" passing north of Stonehenge and under the Cursus and Fargo Plantation as suggested was between £250 and £300 million with a benefit cost ratio of 0.3 (where 1 represents break-even).
The values shown in the cost benefit analyses known as COBA are measurable savings in such things as accidents, time and vehicle running costs. We do not believe it is possible to put a monetary value on a unique monument such as Stonehenge. COBA is only one element considered in the overall assessment, which takes account of other non-measurable benefits—such as improvement in the setting of Stonehenge—and disbenefits. The assessment of the routes identified so far is contained in the Preliminary Assessment Reports, which are available to the public. These issues will be open to debate at the conference and would be subject to close scrutiny at any future public inquiry, should a preferred solution be identified.
The planning conference is in addition to the normal statutory procedures under the Highways Act 1980 and will not affect the rights of individuals and organisations to object to or make representations about any subsequent proposals which may be published by the Highways Agency.