§ Mr. MaloneTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that the contracts for the work of the final link of the M3 at Winchester are able to proceed effectively;
(2) if he will make a statement about the progress on the measures to preserve the ecology on the M3 road scheme at Winchester.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThis work is not progressing as well as we would have expected. Work to facilitate the removal of valuable plant material from the Itchen valley water meadows and replanting at an alternative site in the Test valley has been completed, but similar rescue work in the Dongas has been hampered by protestors. If this rescue work is not completed, valuable plants will be lost, and damage is already being done to these plants by the trespassers on the Dongas site.
It is of much regret that these disruptive forces are now affecting our main works contract which started on 19 October. The schedule for completion is very testing for our contractors in line with our aims of completing this missing section of the M3 motorway, reducing the harmful effects of congestion and improving road safety. In respect of both the ecological rescue work and the main construction, we and our contractors will be using all reasonable means to remove trespassers.
Illegal action of this sort jeopardises effective rescue and puts both workers and protestors at risk.