Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Sugg on 19 June, (HL Deb, col 1933), what new procedures the introduction of a "major road network from 2020" will encompass; and whether this will change the procedures in relation to the proposed Hickleys Corner underpass on the A31 in Farnham.

Last December the Department launched a consultation on ‘Proposals for the creation of a Major Road Network’ which closed on 19th March 2018.

Proposals included dedicating a portion of the National Roads Fund to invest in bypasses, road widening and other road improvements on the Major Road Network.

A formal consultation response will be published during summer 2018 prior to the launch of the Major Road Network (MRN) programme before the end of the year.

Once launched, it will be for the relevant local authority, working with other regional partners, to make the case for MRN funding for particular schemes. In the case of the proposed Hickleys Corner underpass on the A31 in Farnham, the relevant local authority is Surrey County Council.