HC Deb 11 July 1956 vol 556 cc384-5
29. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he proposes to take to improve road communications for which he is responsible in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Hugh Molson)

The reconstruction of Doncaster Mill Bridge has been authorised, and our more immediate plans for roads for which my right hon. Friend is the highway authority include the construction of by-passes at Wetherby, Allerton Station (Hopperton) and Doncaster, as well as a number of smaller schemes.

Mr. Roberts

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is not the type of facilities that we would like in the West Riding? Is he further aware that the connection with the Great North Road is, indeed, a very bad one, and that the whole of the West Riding, with its prolific industrial area, has winding and twisting roads right up to the Great North Road? Is he prepared to give some consideration to bringing about some improvement in the industrial areas of the West Riding?

Mr. Molson

I have already indicated a number of large schemes which we have in mind; we also have a number of smaller schemes. Really, that part of the country is getting a very fair proportion of the money that is available.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

Would my right hon. Friend push along with the east-west trunk road so that the industrial West Riding may have better access to the Great North Road?

Mr. Molson

We are trying to take all these roads in the order best suited to facilitate the movement of traffic.

Mr. T. Williams

Can the Minister give any idea how long it will be before these various bridges go up, because we want to prevent the diversion of heavy traffic as much as possible?

Mr. Molson

As regards this particular bridge, we have received the tenders and they are under consideration at the present time.

41. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consultation he has had with the West Riding County Council for the provision of a motor road to link the West Riding with the Great North Road at a convenient point.

The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)

Some preliminary survey work has been done on the Sheffield—Leeds motorway and on the Lancashire—Yorkshire motorway. I have been in close touch with the county council throughout, and both roads are included in the county development plan.

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