§ 9. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Transport what are his latest revised estimates for the building of the M11 along the preferred Roding Valley route; and how they compare with estimates for a route through the Lea Valley.
§ Mr. MulleyThe estimated cost of the published route down the Roding Valley is about £50 million. A continuation of this route to a point common with the Lea Valley route would bring the total cost to about £73 million compared with £84 million for the Lea Valley route.
A route in the Lea Valley would also require additional expenditure of about £25 million in providing separate terminal connections for the proposed M12 motorway.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonNevertheless, was there not an over-estimate of the saving which would result or would be expected to result from preferring the Roding Valley route? Can the Minister say where he now stands in his dealings with local authorities and others making representations?
§ Mr. MulleyAs the hon. Gentleman knows, there were 2,000 objections to the proposals when they were made. A public inquiry has been held, I have the inspector's report and hope to announce a decision upon it. At the inquiry the merits of the two routes and all the figures were gone into. I hope to announce a decision as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to information in the local Press that the Ministry has run into considerable difficulties which are likely to increase the cost of the Roding Valley route? Will he go into this further, because if the Lea Valley route is shown to be better than the Roding Valley route no one would be better pleased than my constituents?
§ Mr. MulleyThe hon. Member would not expect me to give an answer in respect of the report in answer to a supplementary question.