§ 5. Mr. Symondsasked the Minister of Transport if he will withdraw the proposal to incorporate the Cambridge Backs in the trunk road system, in view of the unanimous objections to the proposal voiced by the local authorities, by the amenity societies, and by all who know and value the road.
§ Mr. BarnesThe proposal to which my hon. Friend refers has not gone further than a suggestion made by my divisional road engineer to the Town Council of Cambridge and the County Council for the purposes of discussion. The views of all concerned will be taken fully into account, and a local inquiry held, if necessary, before any decision is made.
§ Mr. SymondsWill my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that, before any decisions are taken, the Minister of Town and Country Planning will be consulted? Is he aware that what most of us are afraid of is that, if the road should become a trunk road, some zealous officer in his Department may discover the trees 4 that overhang the road, many of which are very old, and may cut them all down?
§ Mr. BarnesI do not think my hon. Friend need be concerned with regard to the point raised in the latter part of his supplementary question. The problem involved here is fully understood. He will recognise that Cambridge is an exceedingly difficult town through which to move traffic. He can be assured that at a local inquiry all matters of this kind will be fully considered.
Mr. Wilson HarrisWill the right hon. Gentleman remember that there are university buildings on both sides of the road, and that to incorporate it in a trunk road will be like driving a trunk road through the middle of the university? Will he bear in mind the words of the poet:
You can keep your Oxford side,But spare our Cambridge Backs"?
§ Mr. BarnesTraffic at present drives through the university—past the entrances to the colleges.
§ Mrs. Leah ManningWill my right hon. Friend consider alternatives? There are alternatives to using the Backs as a trunk road through Cambridge. There is Grange Road, for example.
§ Mr. BarnesAll these matters will be taken into consideration. At the moment it is only a proposal.
§ Sir Ronald RossIs the Minister aware that this proposal for the use of land is worse vandalism than any committed by the Defence Ministries?
§ Mr. BarnesI do not consider that a suggestion is vandalism, but the carrying out of it.
§ Mr. SymondsIn order to give my right hon. Friend an opportunity of hearing at greater length the strong objections which there are to this proposal, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.