HC Deb 28 March 2001 vol 365 cc639-40W
Dr. Ladyman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to add to the targeted programme of trunk road improvements. [156106]

Mr. Hill

The regional planning bodies brought forward proposals for 30 schemes which could be separately progressed from the Multi Modal Studies (which are currently looking at solutions to problems within main trunk road corridors). These schemes have been assessed using the New Approach to Appraisal (NATA) and I have arranged for copies of the appraisal summary tables to be placed in the Library. We have also sought the views of the Government's statutory advisers (English Nature, the Countryside Agency, English Heritage and the Environment Agency) on the proposed schemes. Having considered the NATA appraisals and comments from the statutory advisers we have decided to add the following schemes to the targeted programme of improvements:

  • M62 Junction 6 Improvement
  • Al Peterborough—Blyth Grade Separated Junctions
  • A14 Haughley New St.—Stowmarket Improvement
  • A38 Dobwalls Bypass
  • A46 Newark—Widmerpool Improvement
  • A595 Parton—Lillyhall Improvement

These schemes will now be taken forward by the Highways Agency in consultation with the statutory advisory bodies to ensure that any concerns which they might have are properly addressed in developing detailed designs for the schemes. Every effort will be made to minimise impacts on sensitive sites.

In addition, I am also able to announce today that, after further studies undertaken since the 1998 Roads Review, the following schemes are being added to the targeted programme of improvements:

  • A3 Hindhead Improvement
  • A30 Bodmin-Indian Queens Improvement.

We believe these eight major schemes will be widely welcomed. They will benefit road users by reducing congestion and improving safety, create safer and healthier environments for local communities by the removal of through traffic and, in some cases, contribute to regeneration initiatives. Close co-operation with the statutory advisory bodies in developing scheme designs will ensure that important sensitive sites are protected.

The Highways Agency will also take forward the following smaller schemes recommended by the regional planning bodies as part of the recent consultation exercise and costing less than £5 million as part of their programme of local network management schemes.

  • M40/A404 Handy Cross Junction Improvement
  • A l (M) Junction 60–62 Improvement
  • A66 Long Newton Grade Separated Junction.

We are informing the regional planning bodies about our decisions.