§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about converting the present Winchester bypass to motorway standard rather than building a new road; what environmental effect this would have; what, if any, additional cost would be involved; and if he is satisfied that adequate consideration has been given to this proposal.
§ Mr. MarksOne individual made a suggestion on these lines and a number of representations were received that more 303W use should be made of the existing road. However, the Winchester M3 Joint Action Group and others have made strong representations that, instead of building the proposed Popham-Compton section of the M3, the existing Winchester bypass (A33) should be improved, but not to motorway standards. Improvement of the existing road to motorway standards was considered at the inquiry into the route in 1971 and consideration is to be given to the request of the inspector at the current inquiry that further examination should be made of the M3 Action Group's proposal. Without such an evaluation it is not possible to assess the environmental effect or cost of the proposal.