§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in theOfficial Report the dates of discussion between his Department or consultants, and the North West water authority about the route of the M66 over Audinshaw reservoirs; and how far those discussions have produced agreement about alternative water supplies, who will pay for such works and how far carrying out that work will delay opening of the M66 for Denton northwards.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyOfficials and the Department's consultants have met the North-West water authority many times over the past seven years to discuss the provision of water storage capacity equivalent to that which will be lost as a result of land taken from the reservoir for construction of the Manchester outer ring road. Present proposals envisage the construction of a pipeline from Fernilee reservoir to Audenshaw reservoir. The details of a formal agreement and costs are under discussion. The reasonable costs of the replacement facility would be paid by the Department as compensation to the water authority under rule 5 of section 5 of the Land Compensation Act 1961. The construction of the pipeline will not delay the M66 works.