43. Mr. Slaterasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the by-passing of Darlington from the A.1 road; and when it is expected to commence the new road to link up with road A.19 to Sunderland from the A.1 north of Darlington.
§ Mr. NugentMy right hon. Friend has made a scheme under the Special Roads Act, 1949, to establish the line of the Darlington by-pass. The Durham County Council is proceeding with the detailed preparatory work now. I am not aware of a proposal for a new road specifically designed to link the trunk roads A.1 and A.19 north of Darlington, but I expect work to start shortly on the Gateshead-Felling by-pass, which will facilitate the movement of traffic between these two roads.