asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he now expects a public inquiry to be held into the proposed East London river crossing;(2) when he now expects to start on the East London river crossing; and what is the estimated completion date;(3) when he expects to publish draft orders under the Highways Act 1980 and compulsory purchase orders in connection with the East London river crossing.

Further design work leading to the publication of draft orders has not yet reached the stage at which it is possible to give definite publication dates. Thereafter progress is dependent on factors outside the control of the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his most recent estimate of the total cost of the proposed East London river crossing; and how much is accounted for by (a) bridge construction, (b) road construction and (c) property acquisition.

The current estimate for the total cost of the proposed East London river crossing is £110 million; including: