East-West Transport Links (Hansard, 15 October 2001)

HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 cc892-3W 892W

§ Dr. Starkey
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the relative(a) cost and (b) environmental impact of upgrading east-west (i) road links and (ii) rail links between (A) Huntingdon and Cambridge, (B) Cambridge and Bedford, (C) Bedford and Milton Keynes and (D) Milton Keynes and Oxford. [7177]

§ Mr. Jamieson
In the Cambridge to Huntingdon Multi-Modal Study, a full assessment of the relative costs and environmental impacts has been undertaken on a wide range of road and rail options for improving the links between Huntingdon and Cambridge. This study has now reported and the recommendations are being considered by the Regional Planning Body.
The London to South Midlands Multi-Modal Study will be looking at long term, sustainable solutions to the difficulties of east-west travel across the study area. In assessing possible solutions, infrastructure costs and their environmental impacts will be taken fully into account. This study is expected to report at the end of 2002.

§ Dr. Starkey
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to upgrade east-west road links from(a) Huntingdon to Cambridge, (b) Cambridge to Bedford, (c) Bedford to Milton Keynes and (d) Milton Keynes to Oxford. [7176]

§ Mr. Jamieson
The east-west road links between Huntingdon and Cambridge have been studied by the Cambridge to Huntingdon Multi-Modal Study. The consultants undertaking this study have made their recommendations and these have been considered by the Regional Planning Body for the East of England. The Regional Planning Body is expected to make its views known to the Secretary of State in due course.
893W
East-west road links between Cambridge and Bedford, and between Bedford and Milton Keynes are being studied by the London to South Midlands Multi-Modal Study. This study commenced in 2000 and is expected to report at the end of 2002.
The Strategic Roads Network between Milton Keynes and Oxford is under continuous review, however at this stage the Government have no plans to upgrade the road links.