§ Mr. Sayeedasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the progress of the study for a second Severn crossing.
§ Mr. RidleyOn 7 February 1984 I announced the setting up of the study and I have today published the report on the first phase which has been received from the consultants Messrs. W. S. Atkins & Partners and G. Maunsell & Partners. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
As my hon. Friend informed the House on 13 December 1984 at column 578, many possibilities have been investigated for the location and type of river crossing and the link roads to the M4-M5 motorways. The consultants recommended for further study nine crossing options together with 21 route options for linking a new crossing to the existing highway network. The recommended crossing options are all situated south west of the existing bridge and north of Avonmouth and include a mix of bridges, driven tunnels and immersed tunnels.
They fall into three broad corridors — one between the existing bridge and the Dun Sands, one across the English Stones and the third corridor south of the English Stones but to the north of Avonmouth.
I agree with the consultants' recommendation not to consider further possible crossings north of the existing
Local Authority Capital Expenditure and Income: England £ million 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84* Expenditure Gross capital expenditure† 3,669 3,926 3,806 3,518 3,628 4,206 4,456 3,896 4,875 5,374 Other expenditure charged to capital account and changes in balances‡ 152 216 404 455 535 612 871 1,196 2,033 1,519 TOTAL 3,821 4,142 4,210 3,973 4,163 4,818 5,327 5,092 6,908 6,893 Financed by: Contributions from revenue | | 183 236 257 285 309 369 454 325 321 277 Government grants and reimbursements 128 177 249 255 351 385 318 321 416 397 Loans¶ 3,209 3,285 3,097 2,677 2,627 2,992 2,900 2,527 3,358 3,336 Transfers from special funds• 113 142 177 200 256 369 507 380 475 547 Capital receipts 188 302 430 556 620 703 1,148 1,539 2,338 2,306 TOTAL 3,821 4,142 4,210 3,973 4,163 4,818 5,327 5,092 6,908 6,893 * Provisional † Excluding double counting of flows between authorities ‡ Mostly repayment of debt and changes in balances || Revenue contributions to capital outlay and uncapitalised expenditure ¶ Including internal loans • Including advances from capital funds