HC Deb 15 November 1960 vol 630 cc200-1
34. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for speeding up the work of making the whole length of the A.8, between Edinburgh and Glasgow, a dual carriageway.

Mr. Brooman-White

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 28th July, the reconstruction of this road is one of the main items in the programme from next year onwards.

Mr. Willis

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, while it might be one of the main items in the programme, it still is not being proceeded with fast enough? Is he aware that this is the most dangerous road in the United Kingdom? It has a very high casualty rate. Will he increase the amount of money to be spent next year and do this job urgently?

Mr. Brooman-White

We are trying to get on with it, but the hon. Gentleman will realise that one of the main difficulties is not simply building a dual carriageway, but catering for the excessive number of side roads entering the main road.

Miss Herbison

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that the reply given by the Secretary of State was that it will take six years to complete this dual carriageway? Is he also aware that not a week passes without fatal accidents occurring on this road, particularly on the Newhouse-Salsburgh-Harthill stretch? The Government could complete the whole of this road in a great deal less than six years.

Mr. Brooman-White

I must stress again that the chief problem to which attention is being paid is, as the accident record shows, the excessive number of side roads entering the main road. We hope to make as rapid progress as we can on that.