§ 8. Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has received concerning the London outer orbital route, Micklefield Green to South Mimms; and what steps he proposes to take to accommodate such representations in future policy decisions.
§ Mr. HoramI have received a great many comments about this proposed section of M25, including the hon. Member's own report on his consultative inquiry which he held in September 1976. As with all representations received, this material is being carefully considered.
§ Mr. DodsworthI thank the Minister for his reply. However, is he aware that in my constituency and those adjoining it the residents are concerned to adopt 737 a constructive and helpful attitude towards the choice of route and proposed line for the motorway? Now that the existing road works and improvements are being completed, they think that there needs to be a proper reflection of the altered circumstances. Before making a decision, will he bear in mind the representations on that subject which are shortly to come to him?
§ Mr. HoramI am glad that the hon. Gentleman can vouch for the constructiveness and helpfulness of his constituents in this area. It undoubtedly poses problems, but I shall bear in mind particularly the traffic forecasts for the A405 and the A41 which are relevant in this respect.
§ Mr. CorbettCannot the Minister do better than that? Will he not learn the lesson that the history of roads is littered with forecasts which have proved to be totally wrong? Will he now give an undertaking that at the public inquiry into the proposed routes of this section of the M25 he will produce traffic counts of the amount of traffic using the improved A41 and the A405?
§ Mr. HoramWe shall certainly produce traffic counts following the improvements on the A405 and the A41. As I said previously, that is certainly a relevant factor, and we shall produce those before construction begins.