§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress made in the review to determine the practicality of small-scale improvements on the M6 between the west midlands and the north-west, announced in the document, "Managing the Trunk Road Programme;" and if these schemes are considered main programme or longer term schemes. [39493]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about M6 widening.We have made good progress with the reviews of the widening schemes between Junctions 11 and 16 in Staffordshire and Junctions 16 and 19 in Cheshire.378WThe reviews aim to reduce the scale and impact of the schemes, obtain best value for money and to protect the environment. All objections and comments on the published schemes are being taken into account as part of the review.The M6 in the West Midlands and the North West is a strategically important route in need of additional capacity. The widening schemes between these junctions are in the main programme.