HC Deb 22 June 1989 vol 155 cc216-7W
Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many possible routes of the proposed motorway from the M25 to Chelmsford he has asked his officials to investigate;

(2) when he expects to appoint consultancy engineers to determine the route of the proposed motorway from the M25 to Chelmsford.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

We expect to appoint design agents later this year. When they have carried out preliminary investigations we shall have an indication of practicable options.

Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what environmental considerations will be taken into account in determining the route of the motorway from the M25 to Chelmsford.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Choice of route is generally a balance of environmental, economic and operational considerations. Subject to that, we shall seek to adopt the route and solution which does the least environmental damage. On deciding on the options we shall as usual carry out a full environmental assessment.