To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 23 July 2007, Official Report, column 752W, on rights of way, whether the Independent Planning Commission will be required to undertake consultation with (a) the public and (b) user groups to ascertain whether alternative rights of way are being provided or the current rights of way are not needed. (154348)

Further to the answer given to the hon. Member on 23 July 2007, Official Report, column 752W, the Infrastructure Planning Commission will only take decisions about closure and/or diversion of public rights of way, where this is requested in an application for the development of a nationally significant infrastructure project. Any applications made to Infrastructure Planning Commission will be judged in a public and transparent manner as set in chapter 5, paragraphs 5.21—5.38 of “Planning for a Sustainable Future” (cm 7120). This process contains public consultation at its heart, and all interested parties will be able to submit their evidence to the examination.