§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the Salisbury bypass; and what are(a) the current estimated costs, (b) the planned commencement date and (c) expected completion date of the project.
§ Mr. Steven NorrisThe question is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. The chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Nigel Jones, dated 29 June 1994:
A36 Salisbury BypassI am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Transport about the A36 Salisbury Bypass. This is a matter for which the Highways Agency is responsible.In response to the published proposals, the Highways Agency received 296 objections, 39 letters of support and 26 other representations. At the public inquiry, which ran from April 1993 to April 1994, there were 87 personal appearances. The need for the bypass and the published route is supported by Wiltshire County Council, Salisbury District Council and Salisbury's Civic Society and Chamber of Commerce. There were no objections from the statutory environmental bodies, ie the Countryside Commission, English Nature, the National Rivers Authority and English Heritage.The estimated cost of the scheme is approximately £65M for works excluding VAT, and land. The start of construction depends upon the outcome of the recent public inquiry, the subsequent decision of the Secretaries of State for Environment and Transport and the continuing availability of funds.