HC Deb 13 November 1957 vol 577 cc937-8
20. Mr. Storey

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now state a definite date when the widening of the Manchester-Chester trunk road in the Edge Lane-King Street area of Stretford will begin.

Mr. Nugent

I cannot yet say when it will be possible to include this scheme in the roads programme.

Mr. Storey

Is my hon. Friend aware that, by announcing this plan so long ahead and not taking a definite decision, he is causing very considerable hardship to the people who will be affected by this scheme? Is he also aware that this scheme will necessitate a great deal of redevelopment in the area and that the fixing of a definite date is urgent? Can he say when that date will be fixed?

Mr. Nugent

I am afraid that I cannot go beyond what I told my hon. Friend in a letter which I sent to him earlier this year. This problem of what is now called "planning blight"—on properties in an area to be developed—is a general one and is now being examined urgently by a Government Inter-Departmental Committee. I am afraid I cannot give a more helpful answer than that on this occasion.

Mr. Storey

I know that it is a difficult problem for the Ministry to have to set these things ahead, but this is causing very considerable hardship to people whose business premises are on this road. Also it is causing a hold-up in the development of the area. Surely it is possible for the Minister to give us some date in the next year or two when this can be undertaken?

Mr. Nugent

I will look at the matter again, but it is difficult to go much further than I have already gone.