HC Deb 19 December 2002 vol 396 cc940-1W
Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of new(a) motorways and (b) trunk roads have been constructed in each of the last five years. [87910]

Mr. Jamieson

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Nigel Evans, dated 19 December 2002: I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking how many miles of new motorways and trunk roads have been constructed in each of the last five years. In England a total length of 68.31 miles of new motorway and 139.86 miles of new trunk road have been constructed over the last five years. More detailed information is shown in the table below.

(2) if he will make a statement on road links to Redhill Aerodrome; [87991]

(3) what representations the Department has received regarding plans for the development of a major airport based at Redhill Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement; [87994]

(4) what estimate he has made of the effect on air movements at Gatwick Airport of the development of an international airport at Redhill Aerodrome capable of transporting (a) 2.6 million and (b) 15 million passengers per year; [87992]

(5) what proposals he has received regarding the development of Redhill Aerodrome as a major passenger airport; and if he will publish them. [87993]

Mr. Jamieson

As a response to The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) Consultation Redhill Aerodrome Limited lodged on 13 December a submission that includes proposals to develop a new stand-alone passenger airport on the existing aerodrome site.

We will make publicly available in due course all responses to the consultation, except those marked confidential. In the mean time publication is a matter for the authors.

As part of the early SERAS analysis two options for the development of Redhill as an adjunct to Gatwick airport were considered. Details of this work are contained in Chapter three of the Stage One appraisal findings report. Following the conclusion of the first stage of the SERAS study, Ministers decided that these options would not be taken forward for more detailed assessment in the latter stages of the study.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced to Parliament on 28 November that the consultation on airports capacity will be extended until we have consulted on proposals in respect of Gatwick. Those who have already responded to the consultation will be able to amend, add to, or replace their response having considered the new document. We will set out our plans for the remaining stage of the consultation process when we publish the further consultation paper in the new year.