To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans the East of England Development Agency has to employ consultants to establish the cost of traffic congestion in the East of England; what the consultants' brief will be; when he expects the consultants to complete their task; and what budget has been provided. (193055)

The East of England Development Agency has commissioned Steer Davies Gleave to undertake a study to establish the impact of transport constraints in the East of England (including congestion) on the regional and national economy.

The brief comprises three key components:

(a) The quantification of the economic impacts caused by transport constraints in the East of England

(b) An identification of particular areas in the region in which transport constraints are having significant economic impacts

(c) A quantification of the economic benefits that could be derived from addressing-transport constraints.

The study is being undertaken in consultation with local, regional and national partners, including public sector and business representatives.

The study will be complete by July 2008, and the budget for the study is £130,000.