HC Deb 25 July 1988 vol 138 cc146-8W
Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Lwhich houses would need to be demolished under each of the different schemes described in the Husband report on the west London environmental improvement route; and how many blight notices(a) have been accepted and (b) are under consideration.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

At this early stage I cannot add to the estimates set out in Husband's report.

To date 11 blight notices have been accepted and a further one is under consideration.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if any of the options proposed in stage 2 of the west London assessment study will be subject to the European Economic Community directive on environmental impact assessment.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The European Community's directive on environmental impact assessment applies to the assessment of the environmental effects of those public and private projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment. Any projects which are taken forward for more detailed consideration from stage 2 of the west London assessment study and which are likely to have significant effects on the environment will be subject to the directive. The assessment of options within stage 2 of the study will include consideration of their environmental effects.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which houses along the proposed western environmental improvement route are affected by the safeguarding line.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The scope of a safeguarding line is defined by the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977. Planning applications relating to properties within 67 m of the safeguarded line must be referred to the Secretary of State for direction. Only a small proportion of these properties is likely to be affected by the proposals for WEIR.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest timetable for the western environmental improvement route from timing of studies to completion of proposed project; what public consultations are proposed and at what points; and what public information exercises are envisaged.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The study into a western environmental improvement route started in 1984. The project is unlikely to be completed before the late 1990s. We hope to hold public consultations around the end of the year. I shall make an announcement nearer the time. We shall also be consulting widely on the west London assessment study next year.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if a public inquiry will be held should his Department decide to build the western environmental improvement route.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The statutory highway procedures include provision for public inquiries to be held if there are unresolved objections.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of the re-routing proposals in the west London assessment study for the local provision of public bus services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

It has been made clear that the preliminary set of options, including those with bus service improvements, will be assessed in detail by the consultants during the rest of stage 2. Their conclusions will be considered when stage 2 has been completed.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the options being considered in the west London assessment study as part of the western environmental improvement route.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

All the preliminary options examined in the west London assessment study are described in the working paper produced by Sir William Halcrow and Partners. Copies have been placed in the Library.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the western environmental improvement route is being considered for a tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Most of the proposed route is in cutting. The consultants have been asked to explore the practicablity, costs and benefits of covering sections of the route.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many residents of the Kensington constituency, selected by whom, are responsible for the comments in the public consultation document (Husband's study; technical note 1, App. 1B, group discussions with residents, vol. 1B, Holland Park/north Kensington); if there are plans for further consultations; what plans there are for ensuring that the public receives further information; how many copies of the full Husband's report have been printed; and who received these copies.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The appendix referred to was not produced by Husband and Co. It is one of the technical appendices produced by Sir William Halcrow and Partners as part of their report on problems in stage 1 of the west London assessment study. Full details of the coverage of public consultation and the methodology adopted are set out in technical note 1, copies of which have been sent to borough councis and placed in the main libraries in the study area.

Husband and Co. published in September 1987 a report on the appraisal of options for the proposed western environmental improvement route, of which 200 copies were printed. Copies were distributed as follows:

  • Local public libraries in the area
  • Local authorities in the area
  • Members of Parliament in the area
  • House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries
  • Executive authorities such as BR and LUL Ltd
  • Select Committee on Transport
  • London Research Library
  • Consultants for the West London Assessment study.

About 60 copies have been sold to individuals or groups interested in the scheme.

Additionally, 1,500 copies of a summary were produced and have been distributed to individuals and groups interested in the scheme.

I have said there will be further consultation with the public about the scheme.