HC Deb 26 June 1972 vol 839 cc253-4W
Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proposals are now being considered by his Department, the Greater London Council, and the Covent Garden Market Authority, for the provision of rail transport facilities for this market;

  1. (2) what recent representation has been made to him by the London Borough of Wands worth on the transport facilities to be included in the new Covent Garden Market; and if he will make a statement;
  2. (3) what are the proposed methods of transport to be used at the new Covent Garden Market for the delivery of goods to the market.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The Covent Garden Market Authority is studying the financial implications of providing rail transport facilities for the new Covent Garden Market in the light of information from British Rail and trade interests. The chairman of the planning committee of the London Borough of Wandsworth has asked for an assurance that Government financial help will be made available for the establishment of a railhead: a substantive reply to his letter must await the authority's conclusions. It has always been envisaged that the greater part of the produce delivered to the new market would arrive by road.

Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what financial help is to be given by the Government towards the development of the new Covent Garden Market; and if he will list the proposed expenditure.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The latest estimate of the gross capital cost of the Nine Elms project is £37.4 million, consisting of £7.6 million for the site, £25.3 million for construction costs and £4.5 million for interim finance. About £29 million will rank for a one-third grant under Section 10 of the Agriculture and Horticulture Act, 1964.

Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the London Borough of Wandsworth regarding the re-siting of the Covent Garden Market.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

None. The Covent Garden Market Act, 1966, empowered the Covent Garden Market Authority to resite the market at Nine Elms. The authority made planning application for its construction scheme in August, 1969, and received clearance from the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth in May, 1970.