§ 3. Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce which contractor has won the main contract to build the Newbury bypass. [24718]
§ Mr. WattsTenders are still being assessed for the works. The contract will be awarded as soon as possible.
§ Mr. RendelFollowing the appalling amount of misinformation that has been put about by some of the protesters about the Newbury bypass, and the suggestions that there may be alternative methods of improving Newbury's environment, will the Minister make sure that the contractor who is finally given the contract is aware of the importance of publicity and makes sure that everybody in the country recognises that the bypass is the best—indeed, the only—way to improve Newbury's environment?
§ Mr. WattsI am not sure that I see that as part of the role of the selected contractor, but it is certainly important that the voice of the majority of people in and around Newbury is heard and that the views of unrepresentative minorities are not given undue weight. The environment is not just about furry animals and plants: it is about the conditions in which people in urban areas live. There is no doubt that the bypass would bring about a substantial improvement in the environment for the people of the town of Newbury.