HC Deb 24 February 1986 vol 92 cc657-8
2. Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce a decision on future plans for the Darford tunnel complex.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Mr. David Mitchell)

We shall issue the invitation to promoters to make proposals for a third crossing at Dartford later this week.

Mr. Cartwright

Is the Minister aware that it is now seven months since the Secretary of State first suggested the involvement of private enterprise in the building of the third Dartford tunnel, and that only now do we have some idea of the time scale involved? Does he accept that the completion of every new section of the M25 increases the risk of Dartford becoming Britain's biggest bottleneck? Why does the Department of Transport not show the same sense of urgency over the Dartford tunnel as it did over the Channel tunnel?

Mr. Mitchell

This is a new idea and it requires careful assessment before we start inviting the private sector to put proposals to us. As to the bottleneck, I understand that congestion at Dartford is not likely to become serious before 1991–92.

Mr. Higgins

Is my hon. Friend aware that congestion on the M25 has already become considerable and presents a problem? When he studies possible proposals for a new tunnel, will he consider the fact that, sooner or later, we are likely to need to make the M25 four lanes in each direction rather than three?

Mr. Mitchell

I listened carefully to what my right hon. Friend said, and we shall keep it in mind.

Mr. Tony Banks

I am interested to hear that the Minister is leaving traffic congestion problems for the next Labour Government, but in the meantime, will the third Dartford tunnel have any impact on his plans for the east London river crossing?

Mr. Mitchell

On the first point, we have no intention of waiting until the end of the century' before that is put in hand. We shall of course take his second point into account.

Mr. Squire

I endorse what the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Cartwright) said about urgency. Has my hon. Friend come to any preliminary conclusions about the advantages of a private tunnel versus a possible tunnel from the joint councils?

Mr. Mitchell

When my hon. Friend sees the invitation to promoters he will find that there are opportunities for people to quote both ways, and we shall look with great interest at what is the best value for money.