§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the reasons for the errors in the noise data presented in the non-technical summary of the environmental statement for the proposed widening of the M25 motorway between junctions 12 and 15; how many(a) of the original leaflets were issued, (b) letters were issued explaining the mistake and (c) of the corrected, environmental effect leaflets issued; what was the cost in each case; and if every objector to the scheme will receive a copy of the corrected leaflet. [30539]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 4 June 1996:
428WThe Minister for Railways and Roads has asked me to reply to your recent question about the errors in the noise data recently published in the Environmental Statement for our proposals to widen the M25 between Junctions 12 and 15.The non-technical summary (NTS) of the Environmental Statement containing the incorrect noise information was issued to approximately 17,000 people and we sent them all a letter explaining and correcting the error. Our consultants delivered 4,500 of these letters on 9 and 10 May to people living close to the motorway. The remaining 12,500 were sent by post. The reason for the errors was an inputting mistake by our consultants into the computerised noise model for the scheme.We also made copies of the amended NTS available to everyone who attended the exhibitions held between 10 and 22 May. We have placed copies at 13 deposit points and will send a copy to anyone who requests one. The final costs for correcting the errors have yet to be determined but they will all be met by our consultants. I am sorry if this mistake caused any confusion or inconvenience to anyone with an interest in the proposals, but we took the earliest opportunity to ensure the correct information was available.