HC Deb 11 June 1958 vol 589 cc188-9
16. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many motor vehicles, private, commercial and military, crossed the extended runway at Prestwick Airport on 31st May or 6th June using that part of the road, A77, which lies between the village of Monkton and Prestwick town.

Mr. Neave

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Rankin

Would not the hon. Gentleman try to provide this information? Does he realise that it will be an important factor in guiding us as to whether or not there should be an underway at that part of the road in order that road transport may proceed without interruption?

Mr. Neave

I know the hon. Gentleman's view about a tunnel under this roadway. I have nothing to add at the moment to what I said on 7th May, when I said I knew there were strong views about the matter and that they were being considered. I could not give the hon. Gentleman an exact answer to his Question as it stands on the Order Paper, but a present estimate of the average is about 8,000 vehicles a day.

Sir J. Hutchison

Since the question of the lengthening and broadening of these runways at Prestwick depends on information which my hon. Friend was seeking from Canada and the United States of America, can he tell us whether that information is now available and whether the broadening and lengthening of the runways is to proceed?

Mr. Neave

It is certainly our intention to make plans in regard to that matter, but at the moment I cannot add to what I have said already. It is proposed to extend the runway by about 2,000 feet and so to divert A77 that it does not cross the runway unless, of course, it is possible to provide a tunnel.