§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many sites of special scientific interest are within 100 m of options for alternative trunk routes currently under consideration by his Department; and if he will name each site of special scientific interest and proposed route;
(2) how many sites of special scientific interest are within 100 m of currently proposed routes for trunk road improvements; and if he will name each site of special scientific interest and the name of the proposed route.
§ Mr. ChopeThe information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. One tenth of land in England is covered by over 4,000 sites of special scientific interest.
The Department consults widely at many stages in a scheme's development. Where proposed schemes may affect sites of special scientific interest, the Department consults English Nature.