32. Mrs. Slaterasked the Minister of Transport what consideration has been given to the improvement of the main Biddulph Road to Brindley Ford, Stoke-on-Trent, about which the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North, has written to him.
§ Mr. HayA limited improvement scheme was submitted to us last year by the Stoke County Borough Council, but owing to the pressure of more urgent schemes, we see no prospect of including it in the programme for the next three years. I understand that the Council is now investigating a more extensive scheme. We will gladly consider this when it is submitted.
Mrs. SlaterWill the hon. Gentleman consider it very favourably? This is an extremely dangerous road with very heavy traffic on it. Is he aware that it is now a main road and there are two large housing estates nearby, that a large number of children have to cross the road, and that the colliery itself is on a very narrow bend on the road?
§ Mr. HayI saw a letter which the hon. Lady wrote to my right hon. Friend about this the other day. The other scheme to which I referred in my Answer and which we understand the council is about to put forward would cover that exit from the colliery.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesWill the hon. Gentleman see whether it is at all possible to expedite this scheme? This is one of the main roads out of the City of Stoke-on-Trent into Biddulph village in my constituency, the inhabitants of which have been asking for this improvement for a number of years.
§ Mr. HayIt does not rest with us to expedite it at the moment because we are awaiting a further and bigger scheme which the county borough council wishes to put forward. When it puts it forward we shall consider it quickly.