§ Mr. Robert B. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he can now announce the proposed route of the Hemel Hempstead, Bourne End and Berkhamsted bypasses; and when construction is due to start.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her reply, 30 April 1984, c. 31]: Consideration of the complex issues raised by the proposals for the A41 Kings Langley and Berkhamsted bypasses is taking a little longer than I anticipated when I answered my hon. Friend's earlier question on 20 January at column 339. My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment now hope to be able to issue their decision in the near future. The orders which were before the public inquiries related only to the route of the bypasses. If that decision is favourable, side roads and compulsory purchase orders would need to be promoted, and further public inquiries would almost certainly be necessary. Start of work is at present programmed for 1986.
I hope to make an announcement in the next two months.