HL Deb 06 May 1969 vol 301 cc1026-7
LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in respect of new roadways passing through or adjacent to Epping Forest and in view of the continued danger arising from wandering cattle whether cattle grids are to be place on new roadways wherever this is possible and desirable.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)

My Lords, a contract has been let for the scheme to realign the North Circular Road at Waterworks Corner in Waltham-stow. The new road will be fenced off from Epping Forest and cattle grids will be placed on the approach roads so that cattle will not be able to enter the new traffic route. Draft proposals for the route of M.11 motorway between Red-bridge and Stump Cross were published on December 6, 1968. The motorway is shown passing to the East of Epping Forest at Gernon Bushes. My noble friend may be assured that we would seek to prevent cattle entering on to any new motorways or trunk roads that may be constructed through or adjacent to Epping Forest.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether, in view of the ambiguity of the matter, he can say when the new roadways in the forest will be finished—whether they will be finished by, say, a couple of years' time? Can he also say that in the future, when the roads are complete, the forest will not be smaller than it is now?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I must write to my noble friend on the actual date of the construction of the new roads. With regard to the smaller size of the forest, it depends whether he means that there will be a substantial reduction because of the area taken over for motor roads. I do not believe that that will be the case.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, may I take it that there will be compensation for all the portions of the forest taken over for roadways by additional areas put on to the forest at some future date?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, may I write to my noble friend about that point? I can give no undertaking to-day.