HC Deb 26 October 1960 vol 627 cc2325-6
11. Mr. Denzil Freeth

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for widening the Basingstoke by-pass and, in particular, the bridge over the former Basingstoke-Alton light railway.

Mr. Hay

We hope shortly to invite the agent authority to prepare a scheme for improving the by-pass where it passes over the Basingstoke to Alton light railway so that the scheme may be fitted into the programme as soon as the necessary funds can be made available.

Mr. Freeth

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, but, in dealing with this very dangerous road bridge on a curve—which was, I think, opened a few weeks after the railway itself shut—could he define further what he means by the word "shortly"?

Mr. Hay

As soon as possible.

Captain Pilkington

Is not the answer not to widen but to duplicate with another carriageway?

Mr. Hay

We have, of course, long-term plans for the construction of the Basingstoke motorway, Which will be roughly parallel to the A.30 for quite a length of the total distance. I cannot say when we shall be able to fit that into the programme, but I think that that will be the answer to this problem.