Lower Thames Crossing: Development Consent
Debate between Lord Davies of Gower and Viscount Stansgate(6 months, 4 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Viscount Stansgate (Lab)
My Lords, has the Minister been over the Dartford Crossing recently? Does he know how difficult and congested it can be? I agree with the comment that it is very damaging to the economy to have a massive collective traffic jam day after day. If the Government fail to make the statutory decision by the due date that the Minister has given, what will happen? Have the Government taken into account the economic damage done by the existing situation at the Dartford Crossing and the benefits that the new Thames crossing will bring?
Lord Davies of Gower (Con)
I know the crossing well and I am very conscious of the issues around it. It is a large infrastructure project, so we must get it right.
HS2: Delay
Debate between Lord Davies of Gower and Viscount Stansgate
Lord Davies of Gower (Con)
I thank my noble friend for that question. No, I do not accept the premise that it is being dismembered. As I said, it is a question of pragmatism and of the economic situation that we find ourselves in. The Government are taking a reasoned view to deal with it.
Viscount Stansgate (Lab)
My Lords, in the light of the Statement, can the Minister at least reassure the House that this railway line will reach Euston in the form in which it was originally intended and not stop at Old Oak Common?
Lord Davies of Gower (Con)
I can. The Government are committed to delivering the line to Euston and are currently evaluating how best to do it. I can assure the noble Viscount that the Government are committed to that.