HC Deb 01 March 1960 vol 618 c1015
23. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to revise and accelerate the improvement of roads leading from the British Motor Corporation factory to the docks at Grangemouth and Leith; and, in particular, what proposals he has for the immediate provision of an adequate road from Bathgate to the Salmon Inn and thence to the Kincardine Bridge.

Mr. Maclay

Our first task is with the roads round the site itself. With my agreement, West Lothian County Council has appointed consulting engineers to report on the improvements needed to trunk road A.8 and the adjoining classified roads.

I can, however, assure the right hon. Gentleman that the wider issues which he has raised have not been overlooked.

Mr. Woodburn

As the construction of the Outer Seven arrangement is bound to lead to the dispatch of many more cars to Scandinavian countries and Grangemouth and Leith are likely ports, is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great danger of using this main road between Salmon Inn and Bathgate, which is full of twists and narrow bridges, and which is generally used as the main road from Kincardine Bridge to England, and can he do something to expedite the construction of something better there?

Mr. Maclay

The right hon. Gentleman will realise from the earlier replies I have given that we fully appreciate the importance of this problem. I should not like to go further today than to say that until we get on with the present investigation, which is absolutely essential, we cannot see the effects on other roads.