HC Deb 11 April 1962 vol 657 c1298
9. Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will build a motorway from London to Cheltenham.

Mr. Marples

No, Sir. When the London-South Wales Motorway is completed, it will relieve A.40 of much of the through traffic to South Wales, particularly heavy goods traffic. In addition, many improvements, including the High Wycombe By-pass, are planned for A.40 itself.

Mr. Ridley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, apart from closing every branch line in my constituency, he has closed one of the lines from London to Cheltenham and so increased the problems confronting people in the West Country who wish to get to London? Is he aware that, although I support his policy, I should like him to try to improve the road communications between this important centre and London?

Mr. Marples

That is exactly what we are doing. We have this great motorway which will go to South Wales and take the main burden of the traffic now going along the A.40.

Mr. Manuel

Is the Minister aware that his present transport policy is denuding certain rural areas of any transport facilities? Does not he agree that it is easy enough to say that small bus concerns can run alternative services if the railways are closed, but that these services will not be run if they are uneconomic, and that is the problem?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The object of a supplementary question is to elucidate an answer. The answer to this Question relates to a motorway from London to Cheltenham.

Mr. Manuel

Am I correct in thinking that my supplementary question was addressed to Question No. 10?

Mr. Speaker

No. It is Question No. 9. That is probably how the error arose.