§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now announce his decision on the route for the Canterbury bypass.
§ Mr. MulleyFollowing a feasibility study by independent consultants into possible routes for a Canterbury bypass comments were invited by means of a consultative document from the public, local authorities and other organisations concerned. After taking into account all the relevant factors including comments arising from the public consultation procedures, I have decided that Route B, the middle one of the three routes proposed, should be preferred. A bypass scheme on Route B has therefore been included in the trunk road preparation pool so that detailed design, including such aspects as the standard of construction of the road, can proceed to the publication of draft order proposals under the Highways Acts.