§ 36. Mr. Steeleasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if the plan in connection with the road improvement on A82 at Dumbarton has now been approved; if all the necessary land has yet been acquired; and on what date in 1955–56 he expects work will commence.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe plans for the section of this improvement between Dumbuck and south-east of Barloan Crescent have been agreed, and most of the land has been acquired. I hope that work will begin this summer.
§ Mr. SteeleMay I have an assurance that the Minister will do all in his power to expedite the work?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterYes, Sir.
§ 37. Mr. Steeleasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why the improvement on A82 does not include the fly-over junction at Barloan, Dumbarton, for which the Dumbarton Town Council have repeatedly asked in the interests of road safety.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe improvement on A.82 at Dumbarton to be authorised in 1955–6 does not include the fly-over junction at Barloan, because preparation of plans and acquisition of land on the length from south-east of Barloan Crescent to east of Bellsmyre, which includes the fly-over junction have still to be undertaken and will take some time to complete.
§ Mr. SteeleCould the Minister inform the House whether there is any moral to be drawn from the fact that the road improvement in this case stops at the local cemetery gates, and would he consider the plea of the local council with a view to carrying this improvement past that point?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs I have explained to the hon. Gentleman, the land for the fly-over to which he refers has to be acquired and, as he probably knows, there is a procedure laid down for that which I cannot accelerate beyond a certain point.
§ Mr. StokesWould not the right hon. Gentleman find it possible to accelerate the procedure if he made the owner of the land pay a tax according to its value?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat is a very different question.