§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken on the effects of the road building programme on sites of importance for nature conservation.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 28 February 1992]: The effects of road schemes on sites of importance for nature conservation are assessed on a site specific basis as part of the environmental assessment carried out for each scheme. Consultation with English Nature takes place during this assessment.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend the present method of cost-benefit analysis of road building assessment, so as to include an assessment of the environmental impacts of road building.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 28 February 1992]: The Department's current methods for appraising trunk road schemes already include a comprehensive assessment of environmental effects. Effects are quantified as far as possible, but are not given monetary values at present. The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment has recently reviewed the question of monetary valuation in environmental assessment. Its report and the Government's response will be published shortly.