HL Deb 15 June 1993 vol 546 c73WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What increased acreage of the United Kingdom will be affected by the system of roads required by the doubling of traffic they envisage, and what overall effect they anticipate this will have on the wellbeing, including the health, of the population of Britain, and what population density (currently 620 per square mile) they anticipate for 2025.

The Earl of Caithness

The increased acreage affected by roads by the date in question will depend on the size and composition of the road programme, its rate of delivery and the design of individual schemes. The population of Britain will undoubtedly benefit from the considerable economic benefits which an improved road system will bring. The environmental effects of individual road schemes, including effects on people, such as noise and air pollution, will be thoroughly assessed in each case before the decision is taken to go ahead. The official population projections for 2025 imply a population density of 664 persons per square mile in the United Kingdom.