HC Deb 31 January 1979 vol 961 cc477-9W
Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish projected estimates of noise levels for each of the proposed routes of the M25 north orbital road between Maple Cross and Denham; showing decibel levels in each case.

Mr. Horam

Noise levels at properties within 300 metres of the route for which my right hon. Friend published a draft scheme on 7 December are still being calculated and will be made available before a public inquiry.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the historic community of Heronsgate, created in order to promote the idea of self-sufficiency for the poor, from agricultural smallholdings, when making decisions on the route for the proposed M25 north orbital motorway.

Mr. Horam

We are aware of the historic significance of this settlement. Environmental considerations were taken into account before the statutory proposals were published last December. But there will be a public inquiry before my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment make the final decision.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his Department's attitude to the use of bitumastic surfaces for the M25 north orbital motorway.

Mr. Horam

It is the Department's normal policy in building new roads to obtain competitive tenders for both concrete and bituminous surfaces.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his proposals for cut and cover in the Leavesden area of the M25 north orbital motorway showing the estimated costs of each of the proposals.

Mr. Horam

I have no such proposals.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the pollution caused by fumes emerging from the tunnels proposed for any of the M25 north orbital motorway routes; and if he will make a statement with particular regard to the hospital at Leavesden.

Mr. Horam

Where tunnels are provided the solution to the ventilation problem varies with the site. No tunnels are proposed for the preferred route of the section of the M25 between Micklefield Green and South Mimms, which passes approximately 1 kilometre from the hospital at Leavesden.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has fully investigated the destruction of houses and part of Ladywalk Wood by the proposed M25 north orbital motorway; and if he has considered any eastward deviation to avoid such destruction.

Mr. Horam

Yes. I regret the proposed demolition of two houses and the effect on Ladywalk Wood. But to move the route eastwards would have a number of environmental disadvantages. There will be a public inquiry before my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment make the final decision.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effect of the proposed M25 north orbital motorway on the Colne Valley regional park, stating how he proposes to minimise the destruction of the environment.

Mr. Horam

One section of the M25 will pass through the area designated as the Colne valley regional park. We recognise the value of this project and the Department is in regular contact with both the Buckinghamshire county council and the Colne valley regional park standing conference about the effect of the motorway. Extensive landscaping measures are proposed to mitigate the effects.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the number of listed buildings and their nature, which are likely to be affected by the proposed M25 north orbital motorway in the Heronsgate area.

Mr. Horam

No listed buildings will have to be demolished for the Department's published proposals in this area and only four listed buildings are within 300 metres of the proposed route. Two of these are about 200 metres from the road. The other two are Little Whaddon and Bircham House, a pair of semi-detached dwellings, which are respectively 42 and 50 metres from the proposed motorway fence.