§ Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has made any decisions concerning the proposed M65 Calder Valley route.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe public inquiry into the Department's proposals for the trunk road section of the route between Hyndburn and Burnley closed on 29th March. Future decisions on this section depend upon the outcome of the inquiry, the completion of the remaining statutory procedures and the availability of funds. At the present time it would be premature to estimate a starting date.
371WMembers of the public will be invited to comment on alternative routes for the other trunk road sections of the route between M6 and Hyndburn later this year.
§ Mr. Waddingtonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the M65 motorway.
§ Mr. CarmichaelJoint public inquiries into the Department's proposals for the trunk road section of the route between Hyndburn and Burnley and into Lancashire County Council's proposals for the principal road route between Burnley and Colne closed on 29th March. Progress on the trunk road section depends upon the outcome of the inquiry, the completion of the remaining statutory procedures and the availability of funds. At the present time it would be premature to estimate a starting date.
Progress on the much longer principal road route between Burnley and Colne depends not only upon the outcome of this inquiry but also upon the decisions which the new Lancashire County Council may take about its priority within the overall transportation policy of the new county. This is a matter for the new authority.
The remaining trunk road section of the route between M6 and Hyndburn is to be the subject of a public participation exercise later this year when members of the public will be invited to comment on alternative routes.