§ Lord VERNONasked Her Majesty's Government:
- (i) when they expect to publish their decision on the proposed Stoke-Derby link road;
679 - (ii) whether they are aware that the value of the "Public Participation" exercise in respect of the proposals was substantially reduced by the publication by the Midland Road Construction Unit of maps giving misleading information as regards road junctions and access points to the alternative Southerly route;
- (iii) whether they will take immediate steps to correct the misleading impression created by these maps, and
- (iv) whether they will defer any assessment of the views of the public until the individuals and corporate bodies concerned have been given a further opportunity to comment on the proposals in the light of the true facts.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport will announce the preferred route as soon as possible but the Stoke-Derby link is a major proposal involving complex issues and it is likely to take some time to reach a decision. The Department's consultation document on alternative routes said that on most of the routes a small number of junctions would be provided but that more would be provided on the routes which generally comprised the improvement of existing roads. The alternative Southerly route to which the noble Lord refers is essentially an improvement of the existing 150 trunk road and my right honourable friend does not consider that the information published in relation to the consultation with the public on this scheme was misleading.