§ 12. Mr. Leatherasked the Minister of Transport why there has been such a great delay in resurfacing the A4 Bristol trunk road between Bath and Keynsham; and why the residents in this particular area should be made to suffer inconveniences through the experiment.
§ Mr. BarnesThe volume and character of the traffic on this length of road made it suitable, when it was due for resurfacing in the ordinary course, for experimental work on the economies to be secured through using various mixtures of local materials in surfacing roads. With experimental work of this kind some of the lengths are bound to fail and have to be replaced. Replacement of some sections which failed recently has been delayed by unfavourable weather.
§ Mr. LeatherIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that while these experiments may be highly valuable, they cause tremendous inconvenience to those who have to use the road every day? When he carries out the next experiment, will he see that it does not take six months to clear up the mess?
§ Mr. BarnesI will certainly bear it in mind.