§ 14. Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now make a statement about the route of the A27 trunk road between Havant and Chichester.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI have today announced the decision of my right hon. Friends, following a public inquiry, to proceed with the Department's published proposals for a new route for the A27 between Havant and Chichester, subject to further consultations on a number of modifications proposed by the inspector.
§ Mr. NelsonI am obliged to you, Mr. Speaker. I am also grateful to my hon. and learned Friend for what he has said. I congratulate and thank my hon. and learned Friend for the judgment that he has made and for his willingness to respond to public opinion, to reject the recommendation of the inspector's report on the matter and to choose the route which, as a result, will be built much sooner, save many lives, and will not encroach into the countryside to the north.
§ Mr. ClarkeI thank my hon. Friend for supporting what was not an easy decision.