§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will confirm that the study for the new Thames crossing will investigate the possibility of the link being constructed from the Isle of Sheppey, or the Isle of Grain with a link to the Isle of Sheppy, across to a point as close as possible to the new Maplin airport.
§ Mr. PeytonYes.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the traffic and engineering studies for the new crossing of the River Thames to be completed.
§ Mr. PeytonThe complex traffic and engineering studies were only commissioned in October and results are unlikely to be available for at least two years.
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§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will invite local authorities and other interested bodies in north Kent to submit views for consideration by the consultants studying the need for, and location of, a further Thames crossing.
§ Mr. PeytonThe consultants will as a matter of course seek advice and information from officials of local highway and planning authorities during the course of their studies. The views of local authorities will be sought at a later stage.