§ Mr. Cashasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is yet in a position to announce a decision on a preferred route for the northern relief route to relieve the M6 through the west midlands conurbation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he can now announce his decision on the preferred route for the northern relief route for the west midlands conurbation.
§ Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is yet in a position to announce a preferred route for the north Birmingham relief road; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI am pleased to be able to announce that we have now chosen the route for this very important scheme. Alternative routes were taken to public consultation in 1984.
We have selected the green chasewater and yellow route options, with some local variations. The new road will predominantly follow the existing A5, A38 and A446. It will avoid creating a major new corridor through this sensitive part of the west midlands. It will be an attractive route for north-west/south-east through traffic, as well as helping to stimulate industry in southern Staffordshire.
The decision ends the uncertainty and brings closer the urgently needed relief to the M6. We now intend to press on with the new road as quickly as possible and expect to publish draft orders in early 1988.