HC Deb 22 April 1991 vol 189 cc346-7W
15. Mr. Bowls

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give starting dates for the public transport schemes in the London assessment studies that he intends should proceed.

Mr. Freeman

Subject to the passage of relevant legislation, we hope that construction of the Lewisham extension of the Docklands light railway will begin in 1992 and construction of the east-west crossrail in 1993.

Other schemes recommended in the assessment studies may be brought forward later. The alignment of the Chelsea-Hackney underground line has already been safeguarded.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the total cost to his Department of the work involved in the western environmental improvement route assessment study;

(2) what was the total cost to his Department of the work involved in the South London assessment study; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what was the total cost to his Department of the work involved in the South Circular assessment study; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what was the total cost to his Department of the work involved in the west London assessment study; and if he will make a statement;

(5) what was the total cost to his Department of the work involved in the east London assessment study; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

The cost of the four London assessment studies was:

£ million
South Circular 2.9
South London 3.4
West London 2.7
East London 3.0

The western environmental improvement route was a scheme in the national road programme. It had reached the public consultation stage, at a study cost of £1.1 million. The announcement of decisions on the assessment studies indicated that a number of the most important public transport schemes identified in the studies were under active consideration, that it had been decided not to proceed with any of the major road schemes recommended by consultants, but that the limited road improvements specified would be pursued. Since then Bills to authorise east-west crossrail and the extension of the Docklands light railway to Lewisham have been announced, and the line of the Chelsea-Hackney line has been safeguarded. The limited road improvements specified have been subject to initial appraisal and an announcement will be made shortly.