§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of the Birmingham northern relief road in the Government's plans for transport in the west midlands. [14217]
§ Mr. WattsNo statement would be appropriate in advance of the decision following the public inquiry.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evaluation he has made of the problem of traffic congestion at the junction of the A446 and the M42 and the contribution which the Birmingham northern relief road will make towards resolving it. [14220]
§ Mr. WattsThe Highways Agency is considering present and likely future conditions at the A446-M42 junction, having regard to developments in that locality.
The contribution which BNRR might make was discussed in detail at the BNRR public inquiry. The inspector's report is awaited, and further comment would be inappropriate in advance of the decision following the inquiry.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects to publish the report of the public inquiry into the Birmingham northern relief road; [14218]
(2) if the report of the inspector who conducted the public inquiry into the Birmingham northern relief road has been (a) completed, (b) sent to his Department and (c) considered by the Minister; and on what dates. [14219]
572W
§ Mr. WattsThe inspector's report has not yet been submitted to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport. The report will be published when the decision on the scheme is announced in the light of consideration of the inspector's conclusions and recommendations following the public inquiry.