§ Mr. Eyreasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in arrangements relating to the proposed black country route; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe black Country route is a local road project, and the responsibility of the West Midlands county council. The council told us last year that they planned to let the first contract in 1982–83, but they did not manage to do so. Their latest transport policies and programme submission forecast a start in October of the current year. I understand that they have not yet made a substantive start, but that some advance work has been done.
As a separate initiative, the county council has suggested that part of the eventual cost of the road might be funded by private finance, and the construction done under a novel form of management contract. The council has also requested substantial additional Government grants towards this method of carrying out the project. These proposals are under discussion between the county council, other interested parties, and my Department.