HC Deb 01 March 1960 vol 618 cc1014-5
22. Miss Herbison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to start the by-pass on the A.8 road which will cut out Harthill.

Mr. Maclay

I am unable to forecast when this scheme can be fitted into the roads programme. The line for which a Trunk Road Order was made in 1955 may need to be reviewed as a result of the investigations now taking place on the next length of road to the east where the British Motor Corporation factory is to be

Miss Herbison

Is the Minister aware that, in spite of the safety railings and the island in the middle of this village, this is a very dangerous road, that there have been fatal accidents there, and that this by-pass has been promised for a very long time? The siting of the B.M.C. factory makes this a most urgent project. Surely the Secretary of State can give more information than he has done.

Mr. Maclay

I think that the hon. Lady will agree that until we have done the preliminary work which is going on urgently on the B.M.C. siting problem, it would be a mistake to come to a decision on the exact line of the piece of road which she has in mind.

Miss Herbison

Surely the right hon. Gentleman knows that even if the B.M.C. had not gone to Bathgate there was need for the by-pass, and it should not have to wait on any decision about the road round the B.M.C. factory.

Mr. Maclay

This is a question of relative priorities. The accident rate on this part of the road, while serious, is not out of line with that on the rest of the road.