§ 37. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Transport whether he will construct 1305 Narborough Road South, Braunstone, Leicestershire, as a dual carriageway before it becomes the main artery for traffic using the proposed feed road to the Leicestershire section of M.1; and if he has given consideration to the views of Blaby Rural District Council in this respect, contained in their letter to him of 28th September.
§ Mr. HayWe have carefully considered the views of the Blaby Rural District Council but, as has been explained to it, it will not be possible, because of the statutory and other processes which must be followed, to complete the dualling of Narborough Road South before the M.1 extension to Mark-field is finished. We could not justify keeping the Enderby link from the motorway closed until the work on A.46 has been completed. The work will, however, be arranged to minimise any inconvenience caused.
§ Mr. FarrThere has been real concern expressed by the police as well as the local council about the delay in construction of this feeder road. Will my hon. Friend confirm that it is the practice of his Department, so far as possible, when constructing new roads simultaneously to construct the necessary feeder roads, and if that is indeed the policy of the Department, will he be good enough to tell me what has happened on this occasion?
§ Mr. HayPerhaps my hon. Friend will study the letter I wrote him on 22nd November in which I went into all this at some length. I do not think I can pronounce as a general policy that we do not construct roads unless we can at the same time provide feeder roads. Everything depends on the local traffic situation.