§ Mr. David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of and prospects for the proposed new junction on the A63 at Melton. [132652]
§ Mr. HillI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. David Davis, dated 25 July 2000:
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question in which you asked if he "will make a statement on the progress of and prospects for the proposed new junction on the A63 at Melton".In A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England, the Government confirmed its commitment to the scheme by stating that preparatory works would continue, so that it could be taken forward without delay, subject to full appraisal and the views of the Regional Planning Bodies. We are currently waiting for the formal views of the Regional Planning Body on this scheme. It has responsibility for 587W preparing draft regional planning guidance, encompassing a long-term regional transport strategy, and consulting on it, before its submission to Ministers for approval.We are continuing preparation so as to be able to discuss very quickly with local people draft highway and compulsory purchase orders. If made, these orders would give the legal authority to build the scheme. Further progress would be dependent on any objections and associated statutory procedures.If you wish to discuss any aspect of the above further, please contact Alan Burgess, the Highways Agency's Project Manager for the scheme, on 0113 283 5417.