§ 48. Mr. Deedesasked the Minister of Transport how much had been spent on the Ashford by-pass when work ceased; what is the estimated cost of finishing the work; and what is the average monthly cost of maintaining the unfinished project.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Gurney Braithwaite)One hundred and forty-two thousand and fifteen pounds had been spent when work ceased in 1948. The cost of completion will depend on conditions prevailing at the time, but will probably be between £175,000 and £225,000. The cost of maintenance is about £300 a month this year. Next year it is expected to be about half that amount.
§ Mr. DeedesIs my hon. Friend aware that since the work was discontinued, the town of Ashford has been scheduled to be doubled in size under development plans? Is he aware of the acute anxiety felt at the prospects of the town being doubled in size to have a population of 50,000 with the road in its present state?