§ 13. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport what progress is anticipated within the next year in regard to the construction of the Leicestershire portion of the London-Yorkshire road.
§ 54. Mr. Wadeasked the Minister of Transport if he can yet state when construction for the extension of the London-Yorkshire Motorway to Doncaster will commence; and what are the latest causes of the delay.
§ Mr. HayWe hope during the next year to publish the draft Orders for alteration to side roads and accesses for the whole route from Crick to Doncaster. These Orders are open to objection for three months. As we have then to consider all the objections received and may have to hold a public inquiry, I cannot forecast at this stage when we shall be able to make the Orders. Land acquisition and detailed engineering design will also go forward during this period, but cannot be completed until the side road orders have actually been made. Until these statutory processes are further advanced, I cannot usefully forecast the date for starting construction.
§ Sir B. JannerIs the Minister telling the House that after having had this matter under consideration for nearly seven years he is only now considering the question of side roads? Has he not investigated that before? Why has he to wait another twelve months before anything can be done? is he aware that there is considerable anxiety and that these delays are costing people fortunes? Will he get on with the job?
§ Mr. HayOn a number of occasions in the past I have crossed swords with the hon. Member on the reasons why this scheme has been so long delayed. Blame does not rest with the Minister of Transport—either my right hon. Friend or his predecessor. All I can say is that we are proceeding as fast as we can within the confines of the statutory process laid down by Parliament. We cannot short-circuit that. We are determined to get on with it as quickly as possible.