§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport what he estimates would be the cost of bypassing Bedford (a) from east to west and (b) from north to south.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are currently considering two alternative schemes, both of which would provide western and southern bypasses of Bedford. Each alternative would cost about £26 million.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport why Bedford is not included in the 28 projects for bypasses in the Official Report, 27 October, c. 460; and what criteria are used to determine the acceptability of schemes.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWork on a bypass of Bedford had not progressed far enough for a scheme to be included in the list of trunk road schemes for which I have authorised the start or resumption of preparation.
For schemes to be accepted into the roads programme, they must be at a stage of readiness for a full assessment to bé made of the economic and environmental benefits which would be derived from the provision of bypasses.