§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated number of business premises which will have to close in the Liverpool inner city area if the proposed inner ring road is built.
533W
§ Mr. ShoreThe inner ring road is the responsibility of Merseyside county council, as the highway authority. My understanding is that the precise line of the road is not yet settled and the number of business premises affected cannot be assessed.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the names of individuals and organisations which have written to him protesting against the proposed construction of the Liverpool inner ring road.
§ Mr. ShoreI have received representations from the hon. Member himself, from three other private individuals, Mr. J. P. Hearty, Mr. A. Kennedy and Sister Maura O'Carroll; and from six organisations: the Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council, the Toxteth Community Council, the West Everton Community Council, the Northcote Road Action Group, the Anti-Ring Road Committee and the Labour Party in the Scotland Exchange Division. I understand that the Mersey-side group of Labour Members of Parliament has also resolved to oppose the construction of the road.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the proposed Liverpool inner ring road has been discussed by the Liverpool inner area partnership committee; and if any recommendations have been made.
§ Mr. ShoreThe proposals have been touched upon at meetings of the partnership committee. County council representatives have emphasised the importance of preserving its statutory powers to build the road and the partnership committee has acknowledged the importance of the issue to the partnership area. The Liverpool inner city programme, approved by the partnership committee in September of last year, supports the need for an inner ring road as improving the strategic highway network of the area in the interests of its regeneration.