To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in respect of which roads in the national roads programme his Department has completed a review of possible alternatives to road building. [40061]

Before entering the national roads programme, every scheme is assessed to ensure both that it is the most practical and cost-effective method of dealing with the identified problem, and that it would be consistent with current policies. Once in the programme, schemes are subject to public scrutiny both at a public consultation and later before an independent inspector at a public inquiry. At both these stages, alternatives to road building can be suggested and will be objectively assessed.