§ 21. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now approve final plans for the stretch of the Winchester-Preston trunk road A.34, which passes through the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, so as to enable the local authority to give decisions on the future development of sites adjacent to the road in Goose Street, Lower Street, Holborn, and Upper Green.
§ Mr. WatkinsonBecause of the large increase in traffic in recent years I have asked my agent authority, the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, to consider the possibility of providing dual carriageways on this road. Until these investigations have been completed, I am unable to reach a final decision on this matter.
§ Mr. SwinglerWill the Minister ask his officers to treat this matter with the greatest urgency? Is he aware that this is not only a great traffic problem, but also means that a lot of important and valuable sites on either side of this road are sterilised until the plans for the trunk road are complete. and that this is a very serious matter for the borough council?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI quite agree. I will certainly do what I can with my officials, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will also consult the members of his own local authority and impress upon them the necessity of getting on with the planning. If we can both do that, we may get a fairly quick decision.