§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Minister of Transport if his Department now has any proposals to participate in a joint public exhibition with Macclesfield borough council in view of the vital importance of the proposed north-south relief road on the local plan for Macclesfield which the council has a statutory obligation to produce; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI understand that the Macclesfield borough council went ahead with its public consultation in June. This matter has been delayed too long and progress must be made. I apologise for the fact that delay on my Department's part has caused the joint consultation option to be lost. I intend to take decisions in September on the future of the Macclesfield north-south relief road including the question whether further general consultation is even necessary and will let my hon. Friend know my conclusions.