§ 36. Captain Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation in view of the fact that it takes several years between the decision to build a new road or double track an existing one, when he proposes to announce a further major programme of road construction.
§ The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)We are at present engaged on a very substantial road programme and I cannot yet say when I shall be able to announce any extension of it. Preparatory work is, however, going ahead.
§ Captain PilkingtonDoes my right hon. Friend agree with the statement made by the British Road Federation that the present road traffic and congestion is growing quicker than the relief being given by the present road programme? Can he confirm or deny that?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe answer is that different people hold different views. I certainly do not accept that statement. We now have the largest road programme that this country has ever had, and we had better go on with it.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesIs not it a fact that the present road programme is for 407 a four-year term, and that when it expires, unless there is adequate provision now, there will be a slow-down? The indications are that inadequate preparation is being made and that there will be a slow-down because there is not sufficient work in the pipeline to ensure the programme continuing at its present tempo.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is not so. I said in my original Answer that preparatory work is going on. We have established a new principle of having a reserved list of schemes, on which preparatory work is being done. The position for the future is much healthier than it has ever been.