§ Sir Peter Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the road schemes which are in hand or which have reached their planning stage to improve the London-Exeter route west of Amesbury; and if he will set out what schemes have been approved since his announcement in 1985 and what studies have been started since 23 June 1986 for this same stretch of road.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI can confirm to my hon. Friend that substantial improvements are being made to the A303/A30 route west of Amesbury.
Two schemes are under construction; the Furze Hedge improvement in Wiltshire and Ilminster bypass in Somerset.
Also in Somerset, a public inquiry has been held into the Sparkford bypass and a decision will be announced shortly. We have announced a public inquiry into the South Petherton-Ilchester improvement to start later this month and, at the eastern edge of the County, we have published draft orders for the Mere-Wincanton improvement which will bypass Bourton in Dorset and Zeals in Wiltshire.
115WIn Devon, we have consulted the public on possible routes for improvements between Marsh to Honiton and Honiton to Exeter, respectively.
We have also undertaken a general review of other possible candidates for inclusion in the trunk road programme and I hope to make an announcement about this before the summer.