§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the cost of the alternative route one mile west of the proposed dual carriageway through Dalkeith park. [12465]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAppraisals, including the costs of several routes were undertaken in 1989. One of these routes was the Dalkeith park line which is approximately 1 km west of the route now proposed for the dual carriageway. As this Dalkeith park line was the most expensive alignment option and as it would have caused significant damage to the area of great landscape value within Dalkeith park, it was not pursued. Only routes further to the east were subsequently investigated.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the environmental impact on Dalkeith park of the proposed(a) roads and (b) bypass in the area. [12179]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonPrior to examination of proposals at a public local inquiry in May 1992, an environmental appraisal of the proposed bypass and ancillary roads was undertaken in accordance with the procedures recommended in the Scottish traffic and environmental appraisal manual. In particular, this considered the purpose of the route, and the impact on the landscape, heritage and ecology of Dalkeith park. The reporter appointed to hear evidence at the public local inquiry recommended the proposed alignment should be adopted and this was supported by the Secretary of State in his decision.
The preferred scheme was reviewed in 1995 and is now proposed to he constructed as a dual carriageway. It was subject to a further environmental assessment as required by environmental legislation.