§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she, has made of(a) the future of and (b) the costs of improved access to the Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone. [17327]
§ Mr. CabornSilverstone is one of the most popular Grand Prix circuits in the world. The Government are in discussion with the owners and operators of Silverstone about its future and their proposals for its redevelopment.
The operator of Silverstone is concerned that the problems encountered by spectators arriving at recent British Grand Prix threaten the retention of the event. The operator has been consulting with the Highways Agency and the local authorities about an improved access from the A43 trunk road. Planning applications have recently been submitted to the planning authorities. I have made no estimate of the costs of these proposals.