§ 8. Mr. Knoxasked the Minister of Transport whether he has reached a decision on the inspector's report following the public inquiry into the Blythe bridge to Uttoxeter section of the A564 Stoke to Derby link.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe inspector's report is still being considered. I hope that it will be possible to announce a decision soon.
§ Mr. KnoxSince the inspector's report was submitted some months ago, does not my hon. and learned Friend think that it is time that a decision was published? Many of my constituents consider that this road is required urgently, and the sooner it is started the better.
§ Mr. ClarkeWe received the report in June of this year, and I am anxious in all these cases that there should not be too great a delay between receiving the inspector's report and giving a decision. It is not simply a question of reading the report; it is also a question of evaluating highly complex arguments and producing a detailed decision letter that will stand up to scrutiny in the courts of law and elsewhere when a final decision is taken. I appreciate my hon. Friend's strong views 1269 about the road. We have been proceeding with the matter as quickly as possible.