§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to visit the countryside on the route of the Newbury bypass in the current year. [12407]
§ Mr. WattsMy right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to visit the countryside on the route of the Newbury bypass.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what detailed studies on the effects of run-off from the Newbury bypass on the rivers Lambourn and Kennet have been undertaken and published; [12409]
(2) what detailed studies on the effects of noise and air pollution from the Newbury bypass on Snelsmore common have been undertaken and published; [12408]
(3) if he will list the sites of national archaeological interest along the route of the proposed Newbury bypass; what detailed studies of the impacts of the road on these sites have been published; and what opportunity there has been for public consultation on these impacts; [12406]
(4) what protection is afforded to archaeological sites of national importance under planning policy guidance; how such protection has been taken into account in the consent procedure for the A34 Newbury bypass; and what opportunity there has been for the public to comment formally; [12405]
(5) how many badger setts lie on the route of the proposed A34 Newbury bypass; and what steps have been taken to relocate them before clearance work starts. [12403]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 7 February 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent questions about the Newbury Bypass.
The studies we have carried out show that there will be no effect on the rivers Kennet and Lambourne from run off from the Newbury Bypass. The run off from the bypass will discharge through silt traps 274W and oil interceptors to either deep soakaways or to balancing ponds. The balancing ponds use plants and reed beds as filters to improve further the quality of the water. These proposals have been agreed with the National Rivers Authority and will lead to an overall improvement in water quality, as less traffic will cross the rivers on the existing A34 where no such measures exist.
The effects of noise from the bypass were assessed in accordance with the Manual for Environmental Appraisal and were published at the 1988 Public Inquiry, they did not specifically single out Snelsmore Common. No areas have been identified where air quality along the bypass will be a problem. The removal of congestion in Newbury together with other Government measures to reduce emissions from vehicles will lead to an overall improvement.
There is only one site of national archaeological interest along the route of the Newbury Bypass, the Mesolithic site in the Lambourne valley. Field and desk-top studies have been undertaken along the route and are available. These studies together with proposals for archaeological rescue work have been discussed and agreed with English Heritage.
Although there were no known sites of archaeological importance at the time of the 1988 Public Inquiry, it was always accepted that there may be sites and the Inspector took account of this in his report.
Protection is afforded to archaeological sites of national importance under Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) No 16, a copy of which may be found in the House of Commons Library.
Such protection has been taken fully into account in giving the go ahead for the A34 Newbury Bypass.
Representation about archaeological sites were made at the 1988 Inquiry and were covered by the Inspector in his report.
After carefully surveying the route of the bypass, 3 badger setts were found. Replacement badger setts were constructed and the badgers relocated under licence from English Nature before the existing setts were destroyed.