§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that the contractors do not carry out potentially damaging operations on the River Itchen watermeadows site of special scientific interest in breach of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981;
(2) if he has received the consent of English Nature for potentially damaging operations, as defined by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, on the River Itchen watermeadows site of special scientific interest;
(3) if the advance bridge works being carried out on the M3 Bar End-Compton will involve potentially damaging operations as defined by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on the River Itchen watermeadows site of special scientific interest prior to 1 March.
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§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 22 January 1992]The potential impact upon the Itchen Valley watermeadows site of special scientific interest of the construction of the M3 between Bar End and Compton was fully considered at the public inquiry into the scheme and the inspector's report thereon. The inspector concluded that the scheme should proceed notwithstanding the impact upon some 3.5 hectares—less than 2 per cent. of the 175-hectare site of special scientific interest. Under the requirements of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Department does not need to obtain any further consent from English Nature, but is required to give four months notice before carrying out any works within the site of special scientific interest. No works will be carried out in the site of special scientific interest until the notice has expired.