§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is yet able to publish the preferred route for the proposed M40 beyond Waterstock; and what is the reason for the further delay.
§ Mr. HoramMy right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly. The delay has been occasioned by the necessity to give careful consideration to the many complex issues involved.
§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now publish an up-to-date consultation document on the proposal to extend the M40 beyond Waterstock showing the latest estimates of cost comparable with the cost of alternative solutions.
§ Mr. HoramNo. Further consultation would prolong the period of uncertainty for those affected by the various32W alternative routes. The relative costs will have increased to the same degree.
§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish details of the approximate dates on which he now expects a public inquiry to be held into the proposal for an extension of the M40 beyond Waterstock if objections are received, on which date construction might begin, and on which date the extension might be completed.
§ Mr. HoramIt is not yet possible to give the approximate dates on which any public inquiry may be held. It is intended, however, that it should be programmed to enable the statutory processes to be completed in time to meet the estimated start dates for the various sections of this scheme which were circulated in theOfficial Report on 1st February— [Vol. 925, c. 106–18].