§ Mr. Homewoodasked the Minister of Transport (1) what effect the aid proposed by the European Commission for transport infrastructure projects of Community interest will have on the planned completion date and the proposed standard of the A1-M1 link;
(2) if, in view of the industrial need for the A1-M1 link widely expressed in the West Midlands and in the East Coast ports, he will take steps to accelerate progress on this link in accordance with his policy of giving priority to industrial road needs;
(3) what discussions he has had with industrialists on the need for the A1-M1 link.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI cannot say whether there will be any EEC aid for trunk roads, but preparation of the A1-M1 link is already going ahead as fast as possible. My center hon. Friend is well aware of the importance attached by British industry to this section of the route to the Haven ports.
§ Mr. Homewoodasked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with the A1-M1 link scheme,; when the scheme first was identified for feasibility studies; when it entered the preparation pool; when it first went out to public consultation; when the preferred route was announced; when the detailed economic assessment was completed; and if he will make a statement on when the various orders will be announced, when the inquiry will be held, the current target date for construction, and the target completion date.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeA feasibility study for the proposed M1-A1 link road was announced in June 1971, and the scheme entered the trunk road preparation pool at the same time.
618WPublic consultation was held in 1974 and a preferred corridor was announced in August 1975. Lengthy delay was then caused whilst comparisons were made with an alternative strategy. However, announcements confirming the preferred corridor were made in March 1979 and October 1979. An economic assessment was carried out during the feasibility stage and this has been progressively updated. Work is now continuing on the preparation of draft statutory orders showing details of the proposed road and these will be published in 1981. If significant objection is made to them, a public inquiry will then be held. We are reviewing the timing of all schemes in the trunk road programme and the White Paper which will be published after completion of this review will give an indication of the future planned progress of this scheme, to which the present Government attach a high priority.