HC Deb 10 May 1994 vol 243 c119W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on which European directive the environmental assessment for the M11 link road was based; what are the current requirements relating to environmental assessment of such schemes; and what are the differences between the assessment carried out for the Mll link road and current requirements.

Mr. Norris

This question relates to the operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 5 May 1994:

M11 Link Road The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Robert Key, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the M11. The environmental assessment of the Mll link road was not based on any EC Directive. The European Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of certain public and private projects on the environment came into force in 1988 after development consent for the Mll link project was granted. The EC Directive as implemented by section 105A of the Highways Act currently applies to Trunk Road schemes. The Directive requires that the assessment must be made in accordance with current knowledge and methods of assessment. The assessment of the M11 link road was in accordance with practices current at the time. The environmental effects of the scheme were thoroughly assessed before the decision was taken in 1985 to authorise its construction.