Birmingham—Preston Motorway (Hansard, 15 May 1957)

§ 48. Mr. Ellis Smith
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when it is intended to start and finish the new main road which will by-pass Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent.

§ Mr. Watkinson
I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the proposed Birmingham—Preston motorway. The draft scheme for this road was published last month, and the statutory period in which objections may be lodged expires on 20th July. It is not possible to judge how long the making of the scheme and the other necessary preliminaries will take before construction can start. I shall authorise this proposal, 398 to which I attach high priority, as soon as I can.

§ Mr. Ellis Smith
I appreciate and welcome that reply, but the Minister will be aware that large-scale firms of civil engineers are very efficient people and they can make calculations as to how long it will take to construct the road. Can the Minister give a rough idea?

§ Mr. Watkinson
No. The hon. Gentleman misunderstands the position, as, I am afraid, many other people do. It is not the civil engineering work which causes delay in respect of these new motor roads; it is the refusal—the correct refusal—of my Ministry to over-ride the rights of individuals in getting the land.

§ Mr. Ellis Smith
It is the landlords, then.

§ 59. Mr. E. Johnson
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why over two years elapsed between the announcement by his predecessor that it was intended to build a motor road from Preston to Birmingham and the publication of the proposed route; and what action he is taking to shorten the time taken in preparing future schemes of a similar nature.

§ Mr. Watkinson
The announcement of 2nd February, 1955, clearly indicated that the Preston—Birmingham motorway would not be ready for commitment until about 1958–59. The intervening period has been taken up by the necessary consultations with all the interests concerned, and if they are to have full opportunity to state their case it is not possible to shorten the procedure.

§ Mr. Johnson
Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he is considering all the ways and means of shortening these delays in the hearing of appeals? While one respects the rights of the owners of property, it seems to take an intolerably long time for appeals to be heard.

§ Mr. Watkinson
I have had a special inquiry conducted in my Ministry into the procedures necessary for buying the land that is necessary for motor roads and I am afraid that it is not possible further to shorten the procedure. We have shortened it considerably. The procedure involves not only the buying of 399 land from the private owner, but dealing with local authorities and all the interests involved.

§ 60. Mr. E. Johnson
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many appeals have been made up to the present time against the proposed route for the Birmingham-Preston motorway; how long he anticipates that it will take to hear the appeals; and when he expects work on this motorway will begin.

§ Mr. Watkinson
Nine objections have so far been received. The statutory period in which objections may be lodged does not expire until 20th July, and until I know the number and weight of the objections and have considered them I cannot say how long the remaining statutory processes will take. I shall authorise this scheme, to which I attach high priority, as soon as I can.