HC Deb 06 February 1989 vol 146 cc537-8W
Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how long the first public inquiry into the M40 extension took; how many witnesses gave evidence; how many pages of evidence were taken; when the first public inquiry ended; and when the inspector presented his report of that inquiry to him.

Mr. Bottomley

The public inquiry took 117 days. There were 169 witnesses and 756 documents and 232 plans were taken in evidence. The inquiry ended on 3 June 1983. The inspectors' report was presented to the Secretary of State in March 1984.

Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Government first announced an intention to construct the Banbury bypass/M40 extension; when the first public inquiry into the M40 extension began; and what were the reasons for the delay between the two dates.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The first announcement about the M40 extension was made in April 1968. The first public inquiry, for the Waterstock to Warwick section, commenced in September 1982. The time between can be accounted for by public consultation, detailed design and statutory procedures on the section between the M42 arid Warwick.

Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he announced his decision on the route of the M40 extension subsequent to receiving the inspector's report; what were the dates of court hearings for judicial review of that decision; and what is the estimated delay on the M40 extension of such hearings.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport announced their decision on 14 December 1984. The orders were challenged. The court hearings were on 23 May and 20 December 1985. The estimated delay was one year.

Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the recent public inquiry into the M40 extension commenced; how many witnesses gave evidence; how many pages of evidence were taken; when the inquiry ended; and when the inspector submitted his report to him.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The public inquiry into the Waterstock-Wendlebury section opened on 8 September 1987 and closed on 22 January 1988. One hundred and eighty-three witnesses presented 625 documents of varying lengths. The transcripts for 63 sitting days averaged about 80 pages a day. The inspector's report was received on 28 July 1988.