HC Deb 15 October 1975 vol 897 cc1347-8
10. Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress with the planning of the M16.

Mr. Carmichael

The order to establish the line of the A13-A12 section of M16 is to be made shortly, and a letter announcing this will be sent to objectors within the next few days. A public inquiry into the proposals for the A10-M11 and M11-A12 sections was held between December 1974 and July 1975, and the inspector's report is awaited.

Mr. Tebbit

Is the Minister aware that the Greater London Council is considering the designation of a heavy lorry route through suburban Chingford, through residential and shopping areas, and that the reason for this is the lack of the M16? Does he agree that there is no need to worry about traffic forecasts in respect of this motorway? It is an historical fact that for many years the lives of thousands of people have been made miserable by heavy lorries using unsuitable roads.

Mr. Carmichael

I agree with the hon. Gentleman, and I have on several occasions looked at the road that he mentioned. I think he will realise that the Department and all the Ministers who have been dealing with this matter are very much aware of the urgent necessity for this road but, as I said in my original reply, the public inquiry took a long time—exceptionally long—and we cannot expect the inspector's report this side of Christmas.

Mr. McCrindle

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that it is still the intention to proceed with that part of the M16 from the A13 to the A12 during the financial year beginning next April? The present congestion on the A128 trunk road is causing considering concern to my constituents.

Mr. Carmichael

I should not like to give a definite date for the start of this work, but it is interesting to note that those who live in areas of heavy road traffic know that they need such a road, and those who consider such roads academically decide that they do not need them. In this case we shall be pressing ahead as fast as we can but I should not like to commit myself to a date now.