HC Deb 23 July 1958 vol 592 cc415-6
50. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now state the daily average number of vehicles of all types which cross the extended part of the runway at Prestwick airport on A.77.

Mr. Neave

The average number of vehicles, including bicycles, crossing the runway during nine days of this month was 14,133.

Mr. Rankin

Is not that an enormously greater number than was anticipated, amounting, as it does, to about 600 vehicles per hour day and night? Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it reinforces our claim for putting that traffic underground, because of the increasing number of aircraft movements at Prestwick? In view of the possible diversion of the A.77 road, could the hon. Gentleman discover how much of that traffic is proceeding beyond the town of Ayr?

Mr. Neave

I quite agree that we must make an early decision on this question of a tunnel under the runway, and we shall certainly do so. We have not any accurate figures at the moment, but we know that the traffic is substantial. It is for this reason that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has recently published his intention to make an Order prescribing the line of a new trunk road.

Sir T. Moore

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that all local people of intelligence who use this road feel that the tunnel alternative is really the only one conceivable for that part of the world?

Mr. Neave

I have always said that I am well aware of the strong feeling there is about the tunnel, but it will be very expensive, as I have said.

Mr. Rankin

Never mind about the money.

Mr. Woodburn

If this is a continuance of the Government's programme for Prestwick to be the second airport of Britain, is not it desirable that there should be a comprehensive programme, planned for some considerable time ahead, so that any changes now made will fit in with the eventual pattern of Prestwick Airport?

Mr. Neave

We have, of course, a comprehensive programme for Prestwick, and this question of a tunnel is a point that is under active consideration at the present time.

Forward to