§ 31. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Transport the total amount of the approved estimate for the Blackrod by-pass road, the length of the road surface completed, the length ballasted or pitched but not surfaced, the expenditure incurred up to the time of the suspension of the work, and the annual loan charges; and whether, as the stoppage of this job will render the work already completed subject to deterioration by exposure, he will authorise some temporary surface to preserve the work already done and to enable the road to be used during the summer, and so obtain some benefit from the expenditure already incurred?
§ Mr. PYBUSThe estimate originally approved for the Blackrod by-pass road was £129,895. Subsequently, the county council agreed that the scheme should be curtailed to a cost estimated at £72,895 and the expenditure incurred to date is approximately £57,000. As I informed the hon. Member on the 3rd March last, I am satisfied that the county council will take such steps as will safeguard the work already done until such time as local and national finances will allow of its resumption; but I am unable at present to agree to an extension of the work already agreed upon. I have had insufficient time in which to obtain such information as will enable me to reply to the other points raised in the question; and I will send it to the hon. Member when it is received.
§ Mr. DAVIESWill the hon. Gentleman take note of the fact that this splendid piece of work, about three-quarters done, is likely to become derelict in a short time unless the road is surfaced?
§ Mr. PYBUSI am sure that the county council are not overlooking that matter, and are taking steps to prevent that possibility.