§ Mr. LesterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation his Department undertakes in relation to the environmental effects of proposed bypasses.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe Department carries out very extensive consultation at the earliest possible state of scheme preparation. Consultations are undertaken with the Department of the Environment, the relevant local authorities, and the environmental organisations with statutory responsibilities, including English Nature, the Countryside Commission, English Heritage, and the National Rivers Authority. Other Government Departments—eg Agriculture, Defence—organisations such as British Rail and British Waterways, and the National Trust may also be consulted where appropriate.
Following this consultation, the Department consults the public and other organisations that have an interest.