HC Deb 09 November 1960 vol 629 cc1019-20
19. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now settled the line of the Maidenhead-Chippenham section of the proposed South Wales motorway; and when the local authorities in Berkshire will be informed.

Mr. Marples

No, Sir. The planning of this section of motorway is still at a very early stage. I have informed Berkshire County Council of my intention in accordance with my general policy to appoint consulting engineers to complete the survey as soon as possible.

Sir A. Hurd

My Question was not really about that. Is my right hon. Friend aware that a great many interests are involved and that there is a great deal of uncertainty, particularly in Berkshire and Wiltshire, about where the new motorway will go? Surely, if it is not to be constructed for another three, four or five years, it should be possible, as the other sections of the road have been established in line, to say where the line will be through Berkshire and Wiltshire and thus relieve a great deal of uncertainty.

Mr. Marples

There will be plenty of opportunity for people to object to the line and I assure my hon. Friend that there are plenty of people who are ready to object to any proposed line

Mr. Benn

The complaint against the Minister is that he has not worked out the line. In this case, it is not a matter of objection, but of delay even in laying down what the line should be. This confirms the suspicion of the House of Commons that all the planning of the motorways is far too slow.

Mr. Marples

I am afraid that I must disagree with the hon. Member, painful though it is to me.