§ 47. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Transport how many miles of the road to the South-West, London to 986 Exeter, still have only two lanes and therefore no overtaking lane; how many miles have dual carriageways; and how the present position compares with November, 1958.
§ Mr. HayOn the trunk road from London to Exeter (A.4, A.30 and A.303) there are 130 miles with a single two-lane carriageway; 22 miles with a passing lane; and 9 miles with dual carriageways. 2½ miles of this 9 miles have been completed since November, 1958
§ Mr. DigbyIs my hon. Friend aware that this rather disappointing progress is having an effect on the South-West and particularly on the tourist industry? Will he do all he can to speed things up?
§ Mr. HayI am certainly aware of that. That is why our future plans provide for very significant increases in the length of dual carriageways to be finished on this road. The first to be finished will be 1¾ miles between Moorhill and Hatch in Hampshire and 2½ miles of the Staines by-pass to be completed at the end of 1961. There will be more sections of dual carriageway as we go ahead.