§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the status of the yellow route for the Aire valley trunk road scheme (a) as originally recommended and (b) as now modified; and if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which he modified the yellow route recommended by the inspector at the public inquiry into the Aire valley trunk road scheme in 1980;
(2) if his public display of possible routes for the Aire valley trunk road scheme makes clear that the yellow route has been amended from that recommended by the inspector at the public inquiry in 1980; if the amendments are clearly marked; if any other possible routes have been amended since the inquiry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyThe yellow route is one of three alternative options which were on display at a recent exhibition of possible routes for the Bingley to Shipley section of the Aire valley trunk road. It was described at the exhibition as being the route recommended by the inspector following the 1980 public inquiry. In fact it rejoined the existing trunk road in the vicinity of Cottingley Bar, but some 400m to the east of the point recommended by the inspector. This change was suggested partly in order to avoid property demolition, but also because it seemed to offer a better traffic solution. I consider this to be entirely consistent with the decision of the Secretaries of State in 1982 to accept the inspector's recommendation not to proceed with the original route but to consider fresh proposals to take the route to Cottingley Bar. None the less, I apologise that this improvement to the inspector's proposals was not made clear at the exhibition.
The alternative routes exhibited were the result of joint consultations between the Department, West Yorkshire county council and Bradford city council. I can confirm that all routes, including that recommended by Mr. Chance and any that come forward as a result of the exhibition, will be carefully considered before a preferred route announcement is made. The whole purpose of exhibitions of this kind is to promote discussion and allow people to put forward their views. I hope they will do so by 30 June.