§ 24. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he proposes to take on the case presented to him by the major highway authorities of the West Riding of Yorkshire for the reinstatement in the national road programme of the Sheffield-Leeds section of the London-Yorkshire motorway.
§ The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)The Sheffield-Leeds motorway remains in the long-term programme and its line has been protected, but at present there are other more urgent schemes which must take precedence. I will, however, keep in mind the case for this motorway.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes the Minister realise that the position is most acute in Yorkshire? Is there any possibility of this scheme being expedited?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI think not at the moment, but I shall look at it again when we are looking ahead for the next part of the roads programme.
§ Mr. WadeDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that while the Doncaster bypass will help those who wish to use that route, it will not solve the very serious problem of traffic passing through the West Riding, which is becoming increasingly urgent?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is because the Doncaster by-pass is part of my plan for the Great North Road, which is one of my five main priority projects and I regret to say that Sheffield-Leeds motorway is not.