§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those feasibility studies or other paperwork exercises carried out for his Department by East Sussex county council since 1985, giving the year, the nature of the study and details of any moneys paid in respect of these studies.
§ Mr. AtkinsSince 1985 East Sussex county council, as agent authority, has advised and assisted the Department on a wide range of issues relating to the maintenance and improvement of and development control affecting the trunk roads in the county. The number of items dealt with over this range is large. A detailed breakdown is not readily available and would be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The only major feasibility study carried out in this period is that for improving the A27 between the eastern end of the Lewes bypass and Polegate.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) in respect of the recent feasibility study into the A27 Lewes-Polegate road, conducted by East Sussex county council for his Department, on what date(a) the Department communicated to the county council its intention to commission a feasibility study, (b) the county council confirmed it wished to conduct the study, (c) the study was commissioned by his Department and (d) the completed study was received from the county council by his Department;
(2) in respect of the recent feasibility study into the A27 Lewes-Polegate road conducted by East Sussex county council for his Department (a) what sum was paid to the county council for the work carried out and (b) if any other moneys were paid out for this study.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe need for an A27 Lewes to Polegate scheme identification study was first announced in the 1987 roads White Paper published in April 1987. East Sussex county council offered to assist in February 1988, was commissioned to carry out the study in August 1988, forwarded its confidential report to the Department in October 1988 and was paid £17,567 (exclusive of VAT).
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he or his officials last met representatives from East Sussex county council; what matters were discussed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsOfficials met representatives of East Sussex county council on 1 March when the Department's consultants, appointed to investigate options for improving the A27 between Lewes and Polegate, were introduced to county officers and lines of communication established for on-going liaison during the scheme's preparation.