§ 45. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport what reply he has sent to the County Surveyors' Society in regard to the recommendations contained in its report, which has been submitted to him, concerning increasing road traffic and the need for motorways.
§ Mr. MarplesAs the report was sent to me only two days before it was made public, I have not yet had time to give it the full consideration which it deserves. I shall, however, be pleased to discuss it with representatives of the Society and the County Councils Association in the light of the studies which my Department is already making into future highway needs.
Meanwhile I shall continue to give priority to the large programme of motorways which I have already announced. These will provide very substantial relief to traffic between the large centres of population.
§ Sir B. JannerIs the Minister aware that the vice-chairman of the Road Federation has stated that this report discloses a most revealing and disturbing analysis of the Government's shortcomings? Is he also aware that the report itself states that at present 1,700 miles of road are needed? Will he do something quickly about the matter?
§ Mr. MarplesThese proposals would cost £1,000 million. They have been proposed by surveyors and they mostly relate to what happens between the towns. The great problem and the crunch in future is what happens when the traffic reaches the towns. They ignore that altgoether.
§ Sir B. JannerWhy not get on with it and get the money somehow?