§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are taken by his Department to ensure that sites of special scientific interest are not damaged by road development. [40990]
515W
§ Mr. WattsThis is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 3 November 1995:
As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures are taken by his Department to ensure that Sites of Special Scientific Interest are not damaged by road development.
My Department has a long standing policy of keeping trunk roads away from protected areas such as Sites for Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), so far as is reasonable possible. When it is not possible to avoid such areas, every effort is taken on minimise landtake from the affected site and, where possible, measures are provided to reduce adverse effects.