§ 2.44 p.m.
§ Lord GISBOROUGHMy 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 plans exist for the extension of the M.23 from Gatwick into London.
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, the M.23 motorway from Gatwick to Hooley in Surrey was completed in 1975. Following a joint study by officials of the Departments of Transport and of the Environment, the Greater London Council and Surrey County Council, the last Government announced in September 1978 that it had been decided not to proceed with the proposed extension of the M.23 from Hooley to Mitcham. A draft scheme and orders to revoke the 250 existing statutory authority for the motorway North of Hooley were published in November 1978. The objections and representations received in response to these are now being considered. Consultations have also taken place with local authorities on the remaining recommendations in the joint study report. My right honourable friend the Minister of Transport is reviewing all the many complex issues involved, with a view to making a further announcement shortly.
§ Lord GISBOROUGHMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that rather lengthy Answer, which I should like to read, may I ask whether he can assure the House that, whatever happens, there will be a reserved line on the map for the future;and will he accept that there is a great urgency, not only for Gatwick but for the whole of the South of England to be served by the extension of this road into the centre of London?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, I cannot give a guarantee that there will be a reserved line. When my right honourable friend makes his decision known, the plan of what he is going to do will be the line for the future.
§ Lord AVEBURYMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the existence of reserved lines and the threat of a possible motorway construction causes a blight affecting property values in the area, and that many people in the vicinity of the proposed M.23 motorway extension have been thereby prevented from selling their houses, except at ridiculously low prices, for many years? In these matters certainty is what is required, and therefore once the department has considered the representations that have been made they should put an end to all schemes for the indefinite future.
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONYes, my Lords. I have every sympathy with what the noble Lord has said, and I know it is a matter very close to his heart. We do want to get on with this;we do want to announce the line and proceed from there. We are proceeding as fast as we can. There are palliatives for people who are near the line. It is not very satisfactory. I agree that these delays do take place.
§ Lord GISBOROUGHMy Lords, will the noble Lord accept that this road starts no less than 15 miles from the centre of London;this compares with five miles from the M.1 and M.3. This really is a disastrous situation for a major airport.
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONYes, my Lords. This is all part of the oint study which has been reported on. We are now considering how best to remedy the matter and get the traffic flowing with the least possible worry and trouble to people who have housing interests.