Medway Tunnel Project (Hansard, 14 November 1991)

§ The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)
My Lords, the Medway tunnel project is to be financed primarily by Kent County Council, which is therefore responsible for its progress. Kent County Council has applied to the Department of Transport for resources in the form of transport supplementary grant and credit approvals. We expect to announce decisions on the distribution of resources to local highway authorities in the usual way just before the Christmas Recess.

§ Lord Peyton of Yeovil
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that Answer. Does he agree that the project affords an interesting commentary on the somewhat costive nature of our procedures? First, there was an Act of Parliament authorising the tunnel; then the present project, which is at the top of Kent County Council's list of grants. Still nothing has happened. Can my noble friend be sure that something will happen this Christmas?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I cannot tell my noble friend whether the project will qualify for the transport supplementary grant which is necessary for it to proceed. It would be wrong to make an announcement on one particular project when about 108 other local highway authorities are awaiting announcements on schemes.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, does the Minister appreciate that Members on these Benches fully recognise the importance of this third crossing both as regards general economic development and tidying up the area around the Isle of Sheppey. What measure of agreement had been reached before the new direct route from the Channel Tunnel to Stratford was agreed upon? Are we still awaiting agreement? Is it not right that in a Written Answer on 11th November the Minister, Mr. Freeman, said that discussions will be taking place directed by British Rail for public consultation on the new link. Will that vitally affect the crossing? If so, how long must we wait before the crossing is determined?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I am not aware, nor do I believe it likely, that the proposed route for the Channel Tunnel will have any bearing on the tunnel under the Medway. It is a local road scheme, necessary for improving access to the Isle of Grain and to the Chatham maritime estate.

§ Lord Pender
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that because of strong local disagreement about the proposed approach roads to the crossing, the resulting public inquiry is likely to be prolonged?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, my noble friend refers to the approach road. I am unaware of any opposition to the project. Kent County Council would like to begin work on the tunnel in April next year.

§ Lord Peyton of Yeovil
My Lords, will my noble friend arrange for consultation with his right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, who has an interest, even a responsibility, for the prosperity of Chatham dockyard? The tunnel will make a great deal of difference to it.

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, we are well aware of the importance of the tunnel not only because of the interest of the Department of the Environment but also that of the Department of Trade, which sponsors English Estates.

§ Lord Orr-Ewing
My Lords, is there any danger of the EC objecting to the project once it has been agreed? Will my noble friend ensure that it is not suspended as was the Winchester bypass?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, that is another question and one that should be directed to Kent County Council, which is responsible for the scheme.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, will the Minister assure the House that there will be an environmental impact assessment on the tunnel before agreement is reached? I understand that such an assessment has been carried out in respect of roads leading to the tunnel but not for the tunnel itself. There are important environmental considerations.

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, that is a matter for Kent County Council, which is the promoter of the scheme.