HC Deb 09 November 1960 vol 629 cc1013-4
10. Mr. Box

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now give a date for commencement of work on the by-passes at Newport and Cardiff.

Mr. Hay

Detailed preparatory work on the Newport by-pass is proceeding urgently, but I am afraid I cannot yet give a firm date for the start of construction. The Cardiff by-pass is also being prepared in detail, but it is too early to say exactly when work is likely to begin.

Mr. Box

Is my hon. Friend aware of the growing feeling in South Wales that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport still does not acknowledge the near operational urgency of these communications and particularly a second river crossing at Newport? Will he tell us when he expects to be in a position to give the information for which I have asked?

Mr. Hay

Certainly my right hon. Friend is very well aware of the feeling in South Wales about this, and that is one of the reasons why we are pressing on as urgently as we can with the preparatory work for these two schemes. I am afraid that I cannot without notice give any further information than I have today.