§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the surplus properties held by the Highways Agency are held for road schemes that have been cancelled. [88088]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Highways Agency currently holds 563 surplus properties on cancelled schemes. The Agency sells all its surplus property through a phased disposals programme which is designed to ensure the greatest return to the public purse, while not flooding any local property market. Existing tenancies are honoured and in some cases it will be necessary to complete statutory procedures, such as the making of revocation orders, before property can be sold.