§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received objecting to(a) the yellow route and (b) the grey route for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down improvement scheme.
§ Mr. NorrisI have received various representations supportng or opposing the yellow route and grey route options for this improvement scheme near Stonehenge. We are now considering responses to the recent public consultation.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what would be the cost of putting the yellow route for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down improvement scheme in a cutting rather than a tunnel.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department did not offer at the recent public consultation an option for a scheme in cutting along the line of the present A303 as we considered such a n option to be unacceptable environmentally, given the importance of Stonehenge. No estimate of cost is available, comparable with those of options offered.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he is giving to the National Trust's request for more information on alternative routes for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement about the effect of his plans of the inalienability of National Trust land involved.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department is seeking clarification of what further information the National Trust requires. One main purpose of both the Department's consultation options near Stonehenge is to improve conditions for Stonehenge and its surrounding monuments. The tenure of National Trust land and the terms on which it might be made available are matters for the National Trust.