§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the studies initiated by his Department and other Government agencies covering all or part of the M4. [46376]
§ Mr. ByersThe three transport studies currently under way which cover part or most of the M4 are the London to South West and Wales Study, the Thames Valley and104W the Orbit multi modal studies. In addition, the Highways Agency are undertaking a Route Management Strategy for Junctions 1 to 15 of the M4 and a further 28 smaller-scale studies into specific issues beyond junction 15.
§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what(a)the remit of the Highways Agency's M4 Route Management Strategy and (b)the date for completion of the exercise is. [46967]
§ Mr. ByersThe M4 Junctions 1–15 Route Management Strategy will, in close consultation with local communities, address the specific needs of this section of the M4 and develop an action plan for its management. By contract the Thames Valley Multi Modal Study aims to identify the wider transport and land use problems and opportunities throughout the Thames Valley and develop an overall investment strategy for this transport corridor. This will provide opportunities for integrated transport and will allow more sustainable development in the future.
An interim Route Management Strategy for the M4 from Junction I to Junction 15 will be in place this summer. The Route Management Strategy will be finalised in 2003, when the outcome of the Thames Valley Multi Modal Study is known.