HARES DOWN AND KNOWSTONE MOORS SSSI

HL Deb 20 December 1983 vol 446 cc712-3WA

Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can confirm that the Minister of Transport recently stated that her department "strives to safeguard wildlife", whether this policy means that they will take steps to prevent damage to Sites of Special Scientific Interest caused by new road proposals, and whether in particular they will take steps to ensure that the North Devon Link Road will not cross Hares Down and Knowstone Moors SSSI.

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My honourable friend the Minister of State for Transport recently stated that the department would try to avoid Sites of Special Scientific Interest so far as possible. The proposed route of the North Devon Link Road Stage 2A, published on 22nd March 1983 in a draft order under the Highways Act 1980, crosses Hares Down and Knowstone Moors SSSI. A public inquiry into the proposed route starts on 5th January 1984, at which it is likely these issues will be discussed. It will be for my right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Transport to decide in due course whether the proposal should proceed.