HC Deb 21 October 2003 vol 411 cc492-3
4. Mr. Mark Todd (South Derbyshire)

What assessment he has made of the conclusions of the West to East Midlands Multi-Modal Study. [132962]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Tony McNulty)

The study to which my hon. Friend refers reported at the end of July 2003, and we are now awaiting views from the respective regional assemblies, which are likely to be given in November this year. We will then consider those, as well as the views of other interested parties, alongside the study recommendations, and we will make an announcement in due course.

Mr. Todd

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, but must tell him that the initial assessment from the residents of South Derbyshire, which is in the heart of the study area, was one of disappointment that rail schemes that have been proposed to improve access to the rail network in the area, such as the national forest line, have been sidelined completely, and that others, such as the opening of the Donnington loop, have been put at a distant point. Some schemes, such as one to provide proper access to East Midlands airport, have been completely ignored. Will he ask his Department to look further at such matters when he considers the study in more detail?

Mr. McNulty

We shall look further as and when we receive the assessment and views of the respective regional assemblies and others. I say to my hon. Friend that the package included the introduction of a new bus service along much of the national forest line, which was done precisely because the benefit-cost ratio of running rail on the line was not justified.

David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire)

I attended the launch of the multi-modal study to which the Minister referred in Derby in late July, and the sense of disappointment among those present was palpable, as my hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) suggested. Will the Minister confirm that he or his Department will take submissions from east midlands Members so that the balance may be re-established in favour of greater investment in public transport, which is far more likely to produce sustainable solutions to the chronic congestion that affects east midlands roads than other measures?

Mr. McNulty

As I have said, the regional assemblies should report by mid-November. I am certain that between now and then, further submissions from interested hon. Members, not least my hon. Friends, will be welcomed by the Department and assessed in due course with the assemblies' views.

Mr. Christopher Chope (Christchurch)

Does the Minister find it embarrassing that the conclusion of the study—and that of so many other studies—is that the best way to reduce congestion on the roads is to increase capacity? Is it not the case that if the study's recommendations on the A42–M42 corridor were implemented, there could be a 30 per cent. reduction in journey times and the benefit-to-cost ratio would be 3.5:1? Why do the Government not invest more in roads?

Mr. McNulty

The hon. Gentleman was clearly out of the country when we announced £7 billion of roads expenditure only a few months ago. I say to him, in all kindness, that the only embarrassing thing thus far this morning has been his fake hysteria.