§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what cost-benefit analysis was used in selecting his Department's preferred option of a bridge, rather than a tunnel, for the A102 Blackwall third crossing; what emphasis this cost-benefit analysis gave to the impact of a bridge on the local community, business and the environment; if his Department will publish the cost-benefit analysis in full in time for the consultation phase; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department has a standard cost benefit analysis for assessment of the effects of new road schemes in urban conditions—URECA—which addresses the likely change in traffic conditions and therefore the effect on the local community. The scheme's technical appraisal, which contains a summary of this analysis, is available and I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy if he wishes.
A formal environmental assessment is not prepared in the early stages of a scheme. Full details of the preferred bridge option for a new crossing at Blackwall, including landscaping proposals, air quality and noise pollution assessments, were included in public exhibitions held recently as part of the current public consultation exercise.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he had with local government,4W community and business organisations prior to publication of his Department's consultation document on the A102 Blackwall third crossing; and how many of the organisations that he met were in favour of the Department's preferred bridge option.
§ Mr. NorrisEarlier this year the Department consulted on an informal basis the London boroughs of Greenwich and of Tower Hamlets and the London Docklands development corporation. It also had similar informal consultations with British Gas because of its wide-ranging Port Greenwich development proposals on its land at Blackwall peninsula and with industrialists on the north bank. The recent, widely advertised public consultation exercise is the opportunity for all interested parties to comment. Not surprisingly, the bridge option has received a mixed reaction.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a detailed environmental assessment, including analysis of noise pollution, of the planned bridge at Blackwall.
§ Mr. NorrisA formal environmental assessment is not prepared in the early stages of a scheme. Full details of the preferred bridge option for a new crossing at Blackwall, including landscaping proposals, air quality and noise pollution assessments, were included in public exhibitions held recently as part of the current public consultation exercise.