HC Deb 16 December 1991 vol 201 cc48-9W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what environmental matters he has taken into consideration in considering the alignment of the proposed A65 Ilkley bypass.

Mr. Chope

Appropriate environmental matters are being taken into account in considering the alignment of the proposed A65 Ilkley bypass. Specialist environmental consultants have been employed to work with the designers of the scheme and those national and local bodies having an environmental interest have been consulted.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account he has taken of the effect on the proposed Nidderdale area of outstanding natural beauty when considering the alignment of the proposed A65 Ilkley bypass.

Mr. Chope

When developing options for the proposed A65 Ilkley bypass, the Department of Transport was aware of the proposal to create a Nidderdale area of outstanding natural beauty. The Department was formally consulted by the Countryside Commission about this proposal.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the alignment of the preferred route of the proposed A65 Ilkley bypass.

Mr. Chope

Responses to the public consultation including technical and environmental aspects are still being considered. I shall not be able to announce a preferred route until this work has been completed.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with representatives of(a) the city of Bradford metropolitan district council, (b) Harrogate district council, and (c) North Yorkshire county council over the proposed A65 Ilkley bypass.

Mr. Chope

These local authorities were all formally consulted about the options for an Ilkley bypass as part of the public consultation.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the impending decision on the alignment of the proposed A65 Ilkley bypass.

Mr. Chope

The Department of Transport received more than 4,000 responses to the public consultation on Ilkley bypass. These included representations from national and local bodies.