§ Dr. Jack CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the preparation and design of the Lillyhall to Parton improvement on the A595 in West Cumbria; when comments on the draft orders will be considered; whether the scheme can be amended as a result; and if he will make a statement. [177100]
§ Dr. HowellsI refer my right hon. Friend to the answer of 12 January 2004,Official Report, column 545W. Since then, work has concentrated on preparing the draft orders under the Highways Act, and the accompanying Environmental Statement. This work is largely complete and these documents will be published later this year. This will mark the beginning of statutory procedures, during which time the public and those directly affected will have the opportunity to make representations to the Secretaries of State on the proposals. If necessary, a public inquiry will be held before an independent inspector to hear representations. Following the public inquiry, the inspector can recommend to the Secretaries of State that the draft orders be amended in the light of the public inquiry findings. On-going scheme progress would depend on the extent and scale of any such amendments and could require the re-publication of draft orders and another public inquiry.