§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has been monitoring the beach improvement scheme currently being undertaken at Bournemouth; whether it has yet reached preliminary conclusions as to the cost effectiveness of such a scheme as a means of coastal protection from erosion by the sea; and whether it is aware of any adverse short- or long-term effect on the fishing industry in the area.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe beach replenishment scheme is being monitored by this Department. Ideally, an assessment of the cost effectiveness of a beach replenishment scheme should, if it is to be sound, be based upon a period of at least 10 years following completion of the scheme. Useful preliminary conclusions cannot be reached under a period of three years after completion and certainly not while the scheme is still in progress, due to the unpredictable short-term incidence of storms and their temporary
Route Section Estimated Completion Date To the Haven Ports … … … A45 and A604 (less A45 Ipswich Bypass) … … 1979 A45 Ipswich Bypass … … 1983 M1 to A1 Link … … 1984 To Folkestone … … … M40 Birmingham—East of Oxford … … 1982 M25 (Denham to Wrotham) … … 1983 M20 (Maidstone to Folkestone) … … 1980 To Dover … … … M25/M16 (M10 to A2) … … 1981 A2 less Canterbury Bypass … … 1976 A2 Canterbury Bypass … … 1980 These dates are subject to the continuing availability of funds and the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures. Individual sections, within these overall lengths, will be completed at a variety of earlier dates.