§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for widening the M6 motorway between Preston and Birmingham. [101348]
§ Mr. HillI have no plans to widen the M6 between Preston and Birmingham.
My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for roads and road safety announced on 23 March the programme of multi-modal and roads-based studies proposed in the Roads Review. The West Midlands to North West Conurbation Study, including the M6 between 435W junctions 11 and 20, is in Tranche 1 of this programme. I have pleasure in announcing that this study has recently been awarded to consultants and will be completed by the summer of 2001.
The consultants will be asked to indicate a comprehensive range of strategies across all modes that could be used to tackle the traffic problems in the area, and encourage modal shift especially for freight.
As regards the M6 between junction 20 and the Scottish Border, the Highways Agency are seeking to develop a route management strategy study starting in the spring of 2000.