§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when the conclusions of the transpennine study will be published; and if he will give reasons for the postponement in publication;
(2) what consideration is being given to the extension of the M65 eastwards as part of the transpennine study.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on Monday 29 June at column391, and to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) on Tuesday 9 June at column 114.
The transpennine study considered options for improving transport links in a number of corridors within a wide study area, which included the M 65-A56-A59-A65-A660 corridor. The study covered a range of complex issues and our consideration of the consultants' findings has taken longer than expected.