HC Deb 13 May 1999 vol 331 cc178-9W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued to prospective consultants in respect of consultation with the public as part of the proposed multimodal transport studies. [83746]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Department is currently preparing guidance on the methodology for the multimodal studies. The guidance will be aimed at consultants undertaking work on the studies and will cover the role of consultation in the study process.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what opportunities there will be for local stakeholders to be involved in drawing up the terms of reference for the proposed multimodal transport studies. [83745]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Government Offices responsible for taking forward the multimodal studies will draw up terms of reference in consultation with the local Regional Planning Bodies and agree them with the study steering group.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued in respect of the geographical scope of multimodal studies; what area the proposed M6 corridor transport study will cover; and which major routes will be included other than the M6. [83744]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The geographical scope of each multimodal study will be set out in its terms of reference, which will be drawn up by Government Offices in consultation with the Regional Planning Bodies.

The terms of reference for the West Midlands to North West Conurbation study have not yet been agreed, but the geographical scope is expected to be the broad corridor along the M6/west coast main line routes, including the A500, A50(M1), A34 and other possible rail and bus routes.