§ 19. Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his current plans for bypassing Bedford; and if he will make a statement on the timetable.
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§ Mr. ChopeMy Department has two schemes for bypassing Bedford—Bedford southern bypass and Bedford western bypass.
Tenders for the construction of Bedford southern bypass are programmed to be invited in 1992. The scheme is due to be completed in 1995, following a two-year construction period. The programme for a Bedford western bypass depends largely on the outcome of our consideration of the results of Bedfordshire county and North Bedfordshire borough council's public consultation exercise on an outer western option, together with analysis of recent traffic survey data. We expect to announce the results of that consideration early next year.