§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instigate a full investigation into ways of shifting freight away from the roads and on to ships.
§ Mr. NorrisFollowing a seminar last year, and subsequent discussions with interested organisations, the Department is sponsoring two studies in this area. The first is a general overview designed to identify where potential for a road to water shift of freight traffic might exist and what measures might help to encourage such a shift. The second is looking specifically at the scope for using the planning system to encourage use of water, as an alternative to road, where this is economically and geographically viable. We expect to have reports from both studies early in the new year.
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Scheme Estimated works cost 1£ million Next key stage Forecast year A21 schemes—From North to South Tonbridge Bypass—Pembury Bypass 13.6 Public Inquiry 1993 Kipping's Cross—Lamberhurst 9.3 Draft Order Publication 1993 Lamberhurst Bypass 5.4 Public Inquiry starts 51992 Lamberhurst—Flimwell 7.4 Public Consultation 1993 Hurst Green Bypass 7.0 Public Consultation 1993 Silver Hill Improvements 17.0 Preferred Route Announcement following further consultation 1993 Folkestone-Honiton Trunk Road Schemes—From East to West A259 Dymchurch—M20 Junction 11 9.0 Draft Order Publication 1993 A259 St. Mary's Bay and Dymchurch Bypass 10.7 Draft Order Publication 1992 A259 New Romney Bypass 4.0 Draft Order Publication 1992 A259 Brookland Diversion 1.0 Decision following Public Inquiry 1993 A259 Walland Marsh Improvement 4.0 Preferred Route Announcement 1992 A259 Rye Bypass 3 41.9 Draft Order Publication 6— A259 Winchester Bypass 318.0 Draft Order Publication 1993 A259 Guestling Thorn and Icklesham Bypass 213.3 Public Consultation 1993 A259 Hastings Eastern Bypass 8.3 Draft Order Publication 1993 A259 Bexhill and Hastings Western Bypass 29.7 Draft Order Publication 1993 A259 Pevensey—Bexhill Improvement 4.5 Draft Order Publication 1993 A27 Polegate Bypass 13.1 Decision following Public Inquiry 1993 A27 Lewes—Polegate 25.1 Preferred Route Announcement 1993 A27 Brighton and Hove Bypass Contract 4: Kingston—Hangleton 2 27.7 Construction completion 1995 A27 Worthing—Lancing Improvement 33.0 Draft Order Publication 1992 A27 Patching Junction Improvement 6.7 Decision following Public Inquiry 1992 A27 Crossbush Bypass 23.9 Construction completion 1993 A27 Arundel Bypass 15.7 Preferred Route Announcement following further consultation 1992 A27 Westhampnett Bypass 210.1 Construction completion 1993 M27 Widening between Junctions 4 and 12 4133.0 Award of Stage 1 Design Commission 1993