§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for completing A3 Hindhead improvement; what priority his Department is according to the project; and what measures remain to be taken prior to commencement of the scheme. [158926]
§ Mr. HillI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from Tim Matthews to Mrs. Virginia Bottomley, dated 2 May 2001:
I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Keith Hill, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the A3 Hindhead Improvement.The scheme was added to the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements last March.Our first task is to appoint agents to carry out the detailed design of the scheme. After that we will have to complete the statutory procedures including an environmental assessment, a possible public inquiry and land acquisition.Subject to completing the design process and obtaining the necessary statutory approvals, we expect to begin construction within seven years.