§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government why a section of A.15 has been rebuilt to cross at ground level the new runway extension of Scampton Airfield.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (THE EARL OF GOSFORD)My Lords, the provision of a temporary road surface over that section of the A.15 affected by the development of Scampton Airfield was carried out at the request of the local authority in order to reduce the interference with road traffic during the construction of the airfield. A permanent diversion for the A.15 is being constructed to the East of the airfield.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, may I ask him two supplementary questions. The first is whether the question of tunnelling under the runways instead of building a diversionary road was considered, and if not, why not? The second is, if it was considered, can the noble Earl tell me whether comparative estimates of cost were obtained—that is to say, for the cost of a tunnel scheme in comparison with the cost of the diversionary roads scheme, taking into account, of course, the cost of requisitioning agricultural land for the diversionary road.
THE EARL OF GOSFORDI shall be obliged if the noble Lord will allow me to answer those supplementary questions—if this is in order—after I have given him the Answer to his second Question.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in nay name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, when it is proposed to extend an airfield, consideration can be given, as a matter of principle, to extending it in such a manner as not to require the diversion of a major highway, and whether, in the event of extension in such a manner not being practicable, consideration can be given, as a matter of principle, to the construction of a tunnel to accommodate the major highway to avoid its diversion, with consequent increased use of the country's transport resources resulting from the extra distance involved and loss of agricultaral production caused by the use of land for its construction.]
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, all projects for the extension of runways are carefully examined to see whethet they can be carried out in such a way as to avoid affecting roads. This examination includes the possibility of constructing a tunnel for a road that has to be cut by a runway; but, en grounds of cost as well as the security of the runway, it has so far been found that a diversion is the best means of solving the problem.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords. I thank the noble Lord for his second reply. May I ask him whether he is in a position to tell us the difference in the cost of the two schemes in the case of Scampton, and whether due consideration was given to the loss of future food production from the agricultural land requisitioned?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, the answer is, yes. Tie building of a tunnel was certainly considered. The question came before the local council. The estimated cost of a tunnel is £800,000 as compared with £175,000 for the diversion of the A.15. The approximate acreage to be lost is twenty-three.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, would the noble Earl give an assurance to the House that due consideration is given to the necessity of providing adequate transport by road? That is one of the main requirements of this country, and I am not at all satisfied in my own mind—perhaps the noble Earl can satisfy me—that due consideration is given to transport needs as against the convenience of the Air Ministry, or whichever Ministry it is who want the highway diverted for an extension of a 327 runway. Who is the final authority to decide what must be at times a delicately poised balance?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I think I can assure the noble Lord that all due consideration is given on these occasions. I think that it is an illustration of the consideration which was given to road users in this case that new taxi tracks were built and the road was then diverted round these taxi tracks while the runway itself was extended at a cost of something over £2,000. The original road was taken across the present runway so as to give as little disturbance as possible to traffic until such time as the new road is completed. In all these cases, meetings are held between the Air Ministry, the local authority and the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. It is with the concurrence of all three that the final decisions are reached.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHWould the noble Earl be kind enough to answer just one more question, if he can? What is the additional length which road traffic has to travel in this particular case which it did not have to travel before the diversion was made.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether the answer he has given also applies to the case of Blackbushe? Road users have been wondering whether considerable danger might not be caused by the fact that A.13 goes straight across a portion of that airfield.
THE EARL OF GOSFORDI am afraid I am unable to reply to the noble Earl now, but if he will put down a Question I will gladly give him an Answer.