§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many questionnaires by postal areas were returned to the Eastern Road Construction Unit in the consultation on the proposed routes for the Hunton Bridge to South Mimms section of the London outer orbital route.
§ Mr. MarksThe information is as follows:
Sarratt 81 Kings Langley 864 Abbots Langley 687 North Watford 160 Bricket Wood 279 Park Street 122 London Colney 214 South Mimms 29 Shenley 91 Radlett 590 Borehamwood 46 Other 333 Total 3,496
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people taking part in the consultation on the proposed routes from Hunton Bridge to South Mimms of the London outer orbital route expressed a first choice and second choice preference for (a)route 2 and (b) route 3;
(2) how many taking part in the consultation on the proposed routes from Hunton Bridge to South Mimms of the London outer orbital route considered (a) route 3 and (b)route 2 the most undesirable;
(3) how many people taking part in the consultation on the proposed routes from Hunton Bridge to South Mimms of the London outer orbital route favoured delaying construction by carrying out major improvements of the A405, A41 and building an MI-Al connection; and how many were against.
§ Mr. MarksPublic consultation is not a process of referendum, and the results of the recent consultation do not lend themselves readily to expression in the terms of my hon. Friend's Questions. However, the results, expressed as nearly as may be in those terms, are as follows: Number selecting route 2 as first choice, 803; number selecting route 2 as second choice,14W 641; number selecting route 3 as first choice, 836; number selecting route 3 as second choice, 162; number selecting route 3 as most undesirable, 1,084; number selecting route 2 as most undesirable, 1,280; number favouring postponement, 2,034; number opposing postponement, 795.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated capital cost at the most recent prices of routes 2 and 3 and 6(b) of the Hunton Bridge to South Mimms section of the London outer orbital lorry route.
§ Mr. MarksRoute 2–6(b) would cost about £28 million and route 3–6(b) about £39 million at January 1976 prices.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total length of route of the London outer orbital road set out in page 3 of the consultation document of the Micklefield Green to South Mimms section issued on 12th November 1974; what is the total mileage built; what is the total mileage under construction; what is the mileage of routes already fixed; what is the total mileage of routes already published; and what is the total mileage of routes under investigation.
§ Mr. MarksThe answers are:
Miles Total length 116.0 Built 14.5 Under construction 5.5 Fixed 39.0 Published 21.0 Under investigation 36.0 These figures do not include the A282 (Dartford Tunnel and approach roads). This is a principal road and is approximately four miles in length.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what estimated timetable his Department is working for the anticipated completion of the whole of the London outer orbital lorry route; and what is the estimated total cost of sections not yet constructed at current prices.
§ Mr. MarksSubject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and to the availability of funds at the appropriate time it is hoped to complete 15W the M25 London orbital route in 1983. The estimated cost of the sections not yet constructed but including those at present under construction is £355 million.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the hourly and daily forecast of traffic taken into account when drawing up the proposals for alternative routes published in the consultative document on the Mickle-field Green-South Mimms section of the London outer orbital lorry route issued on 12th November 1974, and when these forecasts were made; and how this compares with the flow on the section now open between Maple Cross and Hunter Bridge.
§ Mr. MarksApproximately 70,000 and 100,000 vehicles per day in 1993 east and west of the M1 respectively. These forecasts were made shortly before public consultation took place and assumed that the whole of the M25 would be in use. Figures of the existing daily traffic flow on the section between Maple Cross and Hunton Bridge are not yet available but a figure of 1,700 vehicles was recorded during a morning peak hour about three weeks ago.