To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department will be required to pay the bid costs for consortia which have bid for the £5 billion M25 contract if her Department decides not to continue with the M25 widening projects. (181874)

There is no contractual obligation to pay the bid costs for consortia that have bid for the M25 contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she plans to make an announcement on remedial capital works in respect of junction 30 of the M25 motorway; and if she will make a statement. (184832)

The Highways Agency is liaising with the promoter of the London Gateway Port and Business Park Development (Shell haven) on proposed measures at M25 Junction 30 to mitigate traffic generated by the development proposal. The timing of delivery of these measures is linked to a trigger of development either from the proposed port and/or business park.

Additionally the Highways Agency is currently working with stakeholders and other partners in the Thames Gateway South Essex region to investigate solutions for possible improvements to relieving congestion affecting strategic traffic movements at junctions 30/31 and along the A13 trunk road. By autumn 2008 we aim to have identified options that we will take forward in preparation for further consultation in 2009.

Any preferred solution identified will complement those which are being proposed by the promoter of the London Gateway Port and Business Park Development and will also need to complement other transport measures such as enhanced public transport to help alleviate congestion at the junctions.