HC Deb 15 March 1961 vol 636 cc1387-8
23 and 24. Mr. Jeger

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what conclusion he has reached from the census of traffic over Boothferry Bridge taken in October last;

(2) whether he will make a statement on the proposal to convert the Hull-Barnsley rail track into a motor road.

25 and 26. Mr. Coulson

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what conclusions he has reached on the recent census of traffic on Boothferry Bridge; and what action he plans to relieve congestion on this part of a main route between Hull and the West Riding of Yorkshire;

(2) what conclusions he has reached as to the use of parts of the disused Hull and Barnsley railway line for improving road communications to and from the port of Hull.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. John Hay)

The main purpose of the traffic census taken last October near Booth-ferry Bridge was to enable us to determine whether it would be worth while to use the abandoned Barnsley-Hull railway track for a new road between Howden and the Great North Road. The examination of the information obtained has not yet been completed but we hope to be able to reach a conclusion shortly.

Mr. Jeger

Is the Minister of Transport taking as long over this as he did over improving the road situation? This census was taken last October. What are the factors which are delaying any result which may be obtained from it?

Mr. Hay

The census was taken last October. We received the informa- tion just before Christmas. To analyse the complicated data which we get from these traffic censuses inevitably takes some time. We have pressed on with this as quickly as we can. We are about to announce our views about it.

Mr. Coulson

Is my hon. Friend aware that ten months ago, in answer to a Question by me, my right hon. Friend replied that he was at that time making investigations into the possibility of using the disused railway line as a roadway, and that in answer to a further Question, on 9th November last, my right hon. Friend replied that he would look at the matter? Is it not time that some action was taken on this proposal?

Mr. Hay

That is exactly why we took the traffic census. We wanted to find out whether the proposal to use the abandoned railway line was worth while.

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