HC Deb 18 May 1953 vol 515 cc1680-1
28. Mr. Houghton

asked the Minister of Transport how long repairs to the Halifax-Burnley road in the Calder Valley have been in progress; whether he is aware of the delay in completing the works in the main thoroughfare of Hebden Bridge; and how long he expects present conditions of dirt and noise to continue.

Mr. Braithwaite

A programme of reconstruction on this trunk road between Halifax and Todmorden in the Calder Valley was started in 1949 and has been continued during 1951 and subsequent years. Five miles will have been reconstructed by the end of this financial year. The work at Hebden Bridge has been delayed by the laying of a water main, but I expect it to be completed this autumn.

Mr. Houghton

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that this is the most direct road between Yorkshire and Lancashire, and that it was, in fact, the only road kept open during the bad weather earlier this year? Does he not realise how sickening it is to have this constant state of road repair creeping along this valley year by year? It began when I was first elected for Sowerby and it is still going on.

Mr. Braithwaite

There has been a great deal of local inconvenience, particularly with regard to the laying of this water main, but we will endeavour to hasten the work and have it completed before the hon. Gentleman leaves us.