HC Deb 27 July 1979 vol 971 cc632-5W
Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport if he accepts the very serious impact that the section of road between Micklefield Green and South Mimms will have on the Booksellers Retreat; and what account he has taken of the health of those who live there.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I am very conscious of the anxiety of many people concerning the impact upon the Booksellers Retreat. I am equally aware of the consequences for the people of Kings Langley if the line of the road were to be moved much closer to Kings Langley so as to remove the impact entirely upon the Retreat. The choice of route involves a judgment between these and other competing considerations.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will provide full details showing the factors on which the traffic forecasts are based for the section of road between Micklefield Green and South Mimms;

(2) if he will publish cost benefit analyses for the preferred and alternative routes for the section of road between Micklefield Green and South Mimms;

(3) what is the rate of return for the preferred route and the alternative routes for the section of road between Micklefield Green and South Mimms.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I shall send to my hon. Friend a copy of a detailed report in which this information is provided. All forecasts are based on the best information available at the time and are under continuous review.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport if he will undertake to hold two separate public inquiries, one for the eastern section and one for the western section of the Micklefield Green to South Mimms section of the M25.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I can see considerable difficulties in my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I will be considering it.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport which route was the cheapest alternative put forward as a result of the public consultation exercise, other than the Department's proposals, relating to the section of road between Micklefield Green and South Mimms; and what was the cost.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The only alternative put forward which has been costed is that proposed by the Midland motorways action committee, suggesting a modification to one of the Department's routes—route 3—which passed through Abbots Langley and by Leavesden hospital. The Department's preferred route is estimated to cost £55 million, compared with £65 million for the committee's alternative, both at November 1978 prices.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that any landscaping or other protective measures proposed for the Micklefield Green to South Mimms section of road will not be cut from the scheme on grounds of lack of finance;

(2) if he will gave an assurance that adequate protection measures including noise barriers and landscaping will be written into the draft orders of the scheme for the Micklefield Green to South Mimms section of the M25.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I assure my hon. Friend that all necessary attention will be given to landscaping and other protective measures. It is not possible to write provisions for such measures into draft orders for the scheme but the compulsory purchase order will include provision for the acquisition of land to mitigate the effects of the road.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport what account he will take of the fact that, contrary to the understanding of the then Minister when replying to the Adjournment debate on 15 October 1976, the people of Abbots Langley do not want the Micklefield Green to South Mimms section of the M25 to go across the Gade Valley.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

There will be a further opportunity for all concerned to express their views when we publish draft orders. I assure my hon. Friend that all objections and representations will be fully considered.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any plans to build a service station on the M25 motorway between Micklefield Green and South Mimms.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Services will be needed on the M25 when it is completed but we have no proposals at present to build a motorway service area between Micklefield and South Mimms.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any plans for constructing lighting on any sections of road on the M25 motorway between Micklefield Green and South Mimms.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

All major intersections will be lit. The need for lighting elsewhere is being considered.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will permit the inspector in any public inquiry held into the proposed section of road between Micklefield Green and South Mimms to admit evidence on the need for a new route on that section.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

It is for the inspector to decide what evidence he will hear. However, my right hon. Friends the Minister of Transport and the Secretary of State for the Environment regard the completion of a major orbital route around London as a matter of national policy. In our opinion therefore it would be inappropriate for this policy, as opposed to details of how it should be implemented over any particular section, to be re-examined at each local inquiry.