HC Deb 09 November 1960 vol 629 cc1010-1
3. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in improving the access from London Airport to the centre of London.

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Ernest Marples)

There are now dual carriageways on just over 10 of the 13½ miles of road from Hyde Park Corner to London Airport including the flyover at Chiswick. Work is in progress on the Hyde Park underpass, the improvement of the intersection of Earls Court Road and Cromwell Road, the Hammersmith flyover and a further mile of dual carriageway on A.4 through Cranford. The scheme establishing the line of the Chiswick Langley special road which will provide a motorway from Chiswick to the entrance to the airport was made on 14th October. Invitations to tender for the construction of the viaduct section will be issued in the near future.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if this road is quickly finished and opened it should be a very fine road and useful as a good exit not only for my constituents but for others on the west side of London? Also, would it not be something which we could be proud to show to foreign visitors at London Airport? Further, will my right hon. Friend say whether it is the beginning of the M.4 motorway?

Mr. Marples

Work started on the M.4 with the Maidenhead by-pass, which is nearly complete. Tenders have been invited for the foundations of the Severn Bridge, which will affect the M.4, and tenders should be invited soon for the Slough by-pass, in addition to the viaduct section I have just mentioned. I think that when it is complete it will make access to the London Airport very much more convenient for travellers to this country.

Mr. Benn

Why has the Minister answered the Question purely in terms of roads without mentioning the possibility of a rail link to London Airport, which would do more than anything else to provide speedy transit and lift the congestion which at present exists on that route?

Mr. Marples

The roads we are now contemplating will provide the first means of quick access to London Airport.

Mr. Benn

Is there no plan at all for a rail link with London Airport?

Mr. Marples

At the moment we are concentrating on the motorway—it will virtually be a motorway—which will make the journey there very speedy indeed.