HC Deb 01 February 1991 vol 184 cc700-2W
Mr. Robert Hicks

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the names of the consultants appointed by his Department to examine a possible new road link between Exeter and Plymouth and a second Tamar road bridge; what was the date they were appointed; what is the proposed timetable and their terms of reference; and what are the organisations from whom evidence will be taken.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 25 January 1991]: Consultants have still to be appointed for the assessment of the needs of the A38 between Exeter and Plymouth which was announced in "Roads for Prosperity". The assessment is likely to take about 12 months.

The proposal for a second Tamar crossing was one of the six projects on which the private sector were invited to express views on the suitability for private finance in June 1990. The responses are under consideration and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

The Department is joining with the local authorities in a traffic study of Plymouth and its environs; this should be complete by the end of 1991.