§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to start work on the Temple Sowerby bypass on the A66. [147545]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 26 January 2001]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Tim Matthews, to write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from John Kerman to Mr. David Maclean, dated 29 January 2001
The Transport Minister, Keith Hill, has asked Tim Matthews, Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, to reply to your recent question about the timing of the start of works for the A66 Temple Sowerby Bypass. I am replying in the absence of Tim Matthews.
The Temple Sowerby Bypass is listed in the Government's strategic review of the roads programme 'A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England' as a scheme to be progressed through its preparatory stages so that, if after full appraisal and subject to the views of the regional planning conference and statutory procedure, it is eventually endorsed it can be taken forward without delay. We are currently carrying out detailed survey work for the scheme with a view to starting the necessary statutory procedures around Spring 2002. Beyond then, progress will be subject to the satisfactory completion of those statutory procedures, including, if necessary, a Public Inquiry.
I am enclosing a leaflet which was circulated locally last year describing the background and current position on the bypass.
If you would like any further information, please contact the Highways Agency's Project Manager for the scheme, John Yellowley, at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BE (telephone 0161 930 5685).