§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to invite tenders for the construction of the M6 between Carlisle and the Scottish border. [131410]
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§ Mr. HillAs this is an operational matter for the Highways Agency I have asked Peter Nutt, the Acting Chief Executive, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Eric Martlew, dated 22 July 2000:
The Transport Minister, Keith Hill, has asked me to reply to your recent question about the timing of the tender invitations for the construction of the M6 extension to the M74.We are in the process of appointing design agents with the aim of holding public consultation next year. Progress thereafter will depend on how quickly we can complete the statutory procedures. As with all schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements announced in 1998, the aim is to start work within seven years, although we will better that if we can.