§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the estimated dates on which (1) his Department's preferred route for the extension of the M40 beyond Waterstock will be published; (2) a statutory inquiry into any objections to these proposals would be held; (3) work on the contruction of the motorway extension across Otmoor would begin; and (4) work on that section of the motorway would be completed.
§ Mr. CarmichaelIt is hoped to announce the preferred route for the extension of the M40 beyond Waterstock early in 1975. No decision has therefore yet been taken on whether this route will cross Otmoor. A public inquiry into objections to the formal proposals for the M40 extension, when these have been published, will probably be held in 1976. It is too early to give a reasonably firm estimated date for the start of construction52W but, subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of funds, it is hoped that work will begin about the turn of the decade and be completed about three years later.