HC Deb 18 January 1979 vol 960 cc891-2W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when it is now expected that work on the A41 Berkhamsted bypass will begin; how long it is estimated that work will take; and what is the estimate of the cost of (a) the red route and (b) the yellow route.

Mr. Horam:

Subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and the availability of funds, work is expected to start in mid-1981. It will take two years. The estimated cost of the red route is £5.4 million and of the yellow route £7.3 million at May 1978 prices.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make available a report on the public consultation exercise on the possible route of the A41 Berkhamsted bypass, together with a summary of the engineering, environmental and economic factors which will be taken into account in deciding on the preferred route to be named in the draft orders under the Highways Acts;

(2) how many questionnaires were completed on the preferred route for the A41 Berkhamstead bypass during the public consultation exercise; how many people opted for (a) the red route and (b) the yellow route; which three factors were identified by those completing the questionnaire as the most important in choosing a route for the Berkhamstead bypass: and whether he will list those local councils who have opted for the red route, the yellow route or expressed no preference.

Mr. Horam:

It is our normal practice to make a report on the public consultation exercise when the preferred route is announced. I hope this will be in the spring. Further, as announced in the White Paper "Report on the Review of Highway Inquiry Procedures" a public statement will again be made, describing the consultation which has already taken place, giving a summary of the views then expressed, and setting out any other considerations which have led to the choice of route, when the draft orders are published.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to publish the draft orders under the Highways Acts on the route for the A41 Berkhamstead bypass.

Mr. Horam:

I hope before the end of this year.