§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has taken a decision on London Docklands Development Corporation's development strategy for the royal docks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyI have today approved a strategy for the royal docks proposed to me by the London Docklands Development Corporation which will turn 270 hectares of derelict land into a new employment, retailing, leisure and residential centre for London. The LDDC strategy, completed in consultation with me, will provide 7,000 housing units and some 48,000 jobs.
On 26 November last my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport authorised London Regional Transport to introduce a Bill for an eastern extension to the docklands light railway. The Government announced that they would support the Bill during its passage through Parliament provided LDDC came forward with an acceptable scheme for financing the project without calling on public funds. The Government are now satisfied that the £140 million extension could be financed from the sale of land owned by the LDDC. The Government will accordingly be lending their support to the Bill which will shortly be coming forward for Second Reading.
441WThe 7.7 km extension of the docklands light railway, which will link Poplar to Beckton via the royal docks, will provide the public transport infrastructure essential to underpin the development strategy.
These decisions taken together pave the way for massive new development in the area which will exploit to the full opportunities offered by the royal docks.