§ 38. Sir ALEXANDER SPROTasked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made with the new Edinburgh and Glasgow road; and if any decision 1898 has been arrived at as regards the course of this road in the neighbourhood of Harthill, in view of the wishes expressed by the inhabitants that the new road should not pass through this village?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThis route, 40 miles in length, comprises 24 miles of new construction and 16 miles of road widening. It is divided, for purposes of execution, into nine sections, for eight of which contracts have been let, covering 31 miles in all. Work is proceeding steadily on these sections. Final details as regards railway bridges have not yet been settled with the various companies concerned, and until the cost of these eight sections and the bridges thereon can be more closely determined, no contract is being let for the remaining section, which includes work in the neighbourhood of Harthill. Meanwhile, no definite decision has been reached as to the course to be followed by the road near this village.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIs it possible to give the approximate debt when this road will be completed.
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo, that is quite impossible. It depends on the cost of these sections.