§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what method of appraisal of traffic generation has been used in respect of(a) each road scheme approved since May 1997 and (b) those road schemes currently under review; and if he will a statement. [6870]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNo major trunk road schemes have passed an approval stage since May 1997. Local authority schemes subject to the Secretary of State's approval and the trunk road schemes currently under review are subject to appraisal for traffic generation in accordance with the "Guidance on Induced Traffic", published in December 1994, where appropriate or, where there are complex traffic interactions, using the updated Guidance incorporated in the "Design Manual for Roads and Bridges" in February 1997 (Volume 12 section 2 part 2).
§ Mr. NormanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to ensure that the current review of the roads programme will not result in delays to those schemes chosen to proceed. [6950]
§ Ms JacksonWe are undertaking an accelerated review of 12 trunk road schemes. For others, work is proceeding to the end of the current stage. This will minimise the delay to schemes should they be chosen to proceed and ensure that work done to date is not lost.
§ Mr. NormanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the DBFO road schemes for which tenders have been received will be able to proceed as planned. [6940]
§ Ms JacksonThese DBFO projects are being considered within the accelerated review of trunk road schemes which is currently underway. We are aiming to announce decisions on these schemes later this month.