§ Mr. Robert B. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the route and commencement date of the Berkhamsted, Bourne End and Hemel Hempstead bypass.
§ Mr. Richard Pageasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is yet able to announce his decision on the proposed bypasses at Berkhamsted and King's Langley.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerThe decision letter is being issued today. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport are satisfied that a clear case exists to create a better route in the A41 corridor between the M25 and the Tring bypass and to relieve the communities along the existing road. They have accepted in principle the routes put forward by the Department at the public inquiries last year for both the bypasses and the road connecting the Two Waters area of Hemel Hempstead to the King's Langley bypass. However, before they reach a formal decision they will consult interested parties about a proposal for a small northward movement at Bourne End of the route of the King's Langley bypass to minimise its effect on Boxmoor Trust land, about which the inspector expressed concern. Once the alignment at Bourne End has been fixed, the next step will be the publication of draft side roads and compulsory purchase orders and a further public local inquiry may be necessary. Work will begin as soon as the detailed design and statutory procedures have been completed.