§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether proposals for upgrading trunk roads to motorways are subject to public inquiry procedure.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 16 July 1990]: In all cases we will publish orders under section 16 of the Highways Act 1980. If any statutory objections are received we will undertake a public inquiry.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in bringing forward proposals for upgrading trunk roads to motorways, he will give consideration to the need to offer alternative road arrangements or compensation to users of agricultural and other vehicles prohibited from using such roads for local journeys.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 16 July 1990]: In developing proposals to upgrade trunk roads to motorway the Secretary of State is required to consider the requirements of local planning and agriculture before making a scheme under section 16 of the Highways Act 477W 1980 authorising a motorway. An order cannot be made under section 18 of that Act appropriating an existing road as part of a motorway unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that either another reasonably convenient route is available for prohibited traffic or that no such route is reasonably required for any such traffic. In the case of non-prohibited traffic he would of course also consider making alternative arrangements for persons undertaking local journeys which would formerly have involved the road to be upgraded but which could not in future be made.
Entitlement to compensation is governed by statute and will depend on the circumstances of each case.