§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are being made for the assessment of proposals from promoters of a Channel fixed link when these are received at the end of October.
§ Mr. RidleyThe assessment of proposals for a Channel fixed link will be carried out jointly by the British and French Governments. To assist the British Government with this task I intend to appoint consultants in the following fields:
- a. engineering: to report upon all engineering aspects of the proposed structures, other than inland works infrastructure, including feasibility and safety of construction; design and
88 construction standards, operational and equipment standards, quality assurance and inspection arrangements; security maintenance requirements, and design life; cost and time estimates and provision for contingencies; adequacy of risk analysis with regard to fire, explosions, shipping collisions and so on and provision for emergencies; traffic capacity, management and surveillance. In view of the diversity of the possible proposals, I shall be willing to consider appointing seperate consultants for each of the main types of structure (bridges, bored tunnels and immersed tubes): and also separate consultants for tunnel operations equipment. - b. overall programme and capital cost analysis: including appraisal of project capital costs and timing and effectiveness of the proposed project management arrangements in ensuring that the construction project can be finished on cost and schedule;
- c. hydrology: to appraise the promoters' assessment of the effects upon the sea-bed;
- d. environmental impact: to appraise the promoters' environmental impact assessments;
- e. co-ordination: to advise the Government on the overall co-ordination of the assessment.
Separate arrangements are being made for the appointment of a merchant bank as financial advisers to the Government during the assessment.
Detailed advice to applicants is being made available by my Department today.