HC Deb 19 April 1961 vol 638 c1149
29. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now give the opening date of the pedestrian subways in the Bath Road, Cranford; and what were the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Hay

I hope that the central subway will be open for use in a fortnight, and the two others by mid-May. The delay in completion which I regret was due to the abnormally wet autumn and winter and to the contractor's difficulty in getting and retaining skilled labour.

Mr. Hunter

I thank the Minister for giving us the opening date of one of the subways. Is he aware that the anticipated date was last October and that my constituents were very disappointed in view of the urgent need for an additional subway on this main road to London Airport?

Mr. Hay

We were just as disappointed as the hon. Member and his constituents, but the fact is that we did have this extremely bad weather—

Mr. Manuel

When?

Mr. Hay

—in the autumn and winter, as I said in my Answer. The contractor had the greatest difficulty in getting the skilled labour needed for this type of work.