§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of public inquiries into major road schemes ruled against his Department over the last five years; and, of these public inquiry decisions, how many were subsequently endorsed by the Secretary of State. [20778]
§ Mr. WattsSince 1 April 1991, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport have announced 139 decisions on trunk road schemes following public inquiries. In seven cases, the independent inspector recommended against making the orders for the scheme and the inspector's recommendation206W was endorsed by the Secretaries of State in each case. Over the period in question, significant modifications to satisfy objections were incorporated in 30 schemes, following inquiries where the inspector recommended in favour of the scheme.