§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the results of the current inquiry into the feasibility of a third Thames crossing at Dartford.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI announced in June, at columns 225–26, our intention of commissioning an engineering study for a third crossing at Dartford. My right hon. Friend, however, suggested to the Select Committee in July that the private sector might be willing to undertake the provision of a third crossing, and the inquiries we have had from construction and financial undertakings have confirmed their interest in this proposition.
We shall shortly be issuing guidelines inviting interested parties to submit proposals, and commissioning data collection work on the engineering aspects to help the preparation of proposals.
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A259 Rye bypass, East Sussex Route options being investigated with a view to public consultation in 1986. A259 Winchelsea bypass, East Sussex Hope to announce preferred route shortly, with view to draft order publication late 1986. A259 Bexhill and Hastings western bypass, East Sussex New scheme added this year. Design agency to be appointed early 1986. A27 Pevensey bypass, East Sussex Draft line and side roads orders published. Draft compulsory purchase order to be published shortly. A27 Polegate bypass, East Sussex Scheme restored to programme this year. Design agency to be appointed early 1986. A27 Brighton bypass, East/West Sussex Route fixed. Hope to publish draft compulsory purchase orders summer 1986. A27 Patching junction improvement, West Sussex Scheme restored to programme this year. Design agency to be appointed early 1986. A27 Arundel bypass, West Sussex New scheme added this year. Route options being investigated with a view to public consultation by early 1987. A27 Fontwell bypass, West Sussex Final decision announced with a view to start of works in summer 1986. A27 Westhampnett bypass, West Sussex Hope to announce preferred route shortly. Earliest start date spring 1989. A27 Havant-Chichester, Hampshire/West Sussex Tenders to be invited shortly for start of works spring 1986. A31 Ashley heath grade separated junction, Dorset New scheme added this year. Consulting engineers to be appointed in 1986. A31 Ferndown bypass, Dorset Under construction. Scheduled for completion February 1987. A35 Tolpuddle to Puddletown bypass, Dorset Restored to active programme June 1985. Consulting engineers will shortly be appointed to prepare the scheme. A35 Yellow Ham hill to Troytown, Dorset Public consultation on possible options currently in progress. average for a 16-hour period on weekdays. No information is available about current flows for the length of M25 from the A412 link road to the A404 Chorley Wood. The figures for the sections on either side are given in the table.
§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Transport if there are any proposals to close temporarily one of the lanes of the Dartford road tunnel for repairs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe tunnel is wholly the responsibility of Kent and Essex county councils. I understand that it is planned to carry out a major refurbishment of the northbound tunnel over a period of two years, starting in early 1986. Work will be carried out on weekdays at night, from 9 pm (11 pm on Fridays) to 5.30 am (7 am on Saturdays). There will be no closures in July and August. The aim is to cause little or no disruption. One or other tunnel is in any case closed most nights for routine maintenance.