HC Deb 12 January 1987 vol 108 cc11-2
10. Mr. Baldry

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the public inquiry on the Waterstock to Wendlebury section of the M40 to begin; how long he expects it to last; and when he expects to be able to publish his decision.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Draft orders for this section of the M40 will be published shortly. A public inquiry could take place six to nine months later.

I cannot say how long it will last or when the decision will come.

Mr. Baldry

Will my hon. Friend simply confirm two points: first, that, irrespective of the length of the public inquiry, it is the Government's firm intention that the whole of the M40 extension from Oxford to Birmingham should be opened as one complete entity, and, secondly, that it is the Government's firm intention that the whole of the motorway extension should be opened by 1990?

Mr. Bottomley

Subject to the outcome of statutory procedures, the aim is to start construction on the Waterstock to Wendlebury section in time to open the whole of the M40 extension from Waterstock to Warwick at about the same time, which is about the end of 1990.