§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) why his Department did not allow the Staffordshire forum of district councils to make a presentation on the proposed toll road;
(2) if he will name each of the six companies which are currently bidding to win the contract from his Department in respect of the toll road alternative to the Birmingham-Manchester M6;
(3) if he will place in the Library alternative proposed routes for the proposed toll road alternative to the M6.
§ Mr. FreemanIn April this year, we invited outline proposals from the private sector for new privately funded road capacity between Birmingham and Manchester. The following four groups responded:
- Balfour Beatty
- Tarmac
- Trafalgar House/Italstat
- Western Parkway Consortium: led by Manufacturers Hanover and Cofiroute.
In addition, the following two groups expressed an interest in participating in the project: 232W
- W. S. Atkins Consultants,
- Mitsubishi Bank.
The proposals that we have received are being carefully evaluated and, at this stage, remain commercially confidential. The Department is currently discussing various aspects of the proposals with the respondents. It is still too early to give details of any of these proposals as it is not certain yet which—if any—would be acceptable to the Government. When we are clear about a favoured proposal, consultations will take place with all interested parties—including the Staffordshire forum of district councils—in the normal way.