§ 35. Dr. Broughtonasked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the date when the M.1 extension to Leeds will be completed.
§ Mr. HayThe scheme for the Sheffield-Leeds Spur was made in August. Further statutory processes have to be gone through and the preparation is likely to be difficult and lengthy. The work will be put in hand as soon as these procedures are complete and funds are available but I cannot yet forecast when this will be.
§ Dr. BroughtonIs the Minister aware that the construction of this road should now be in progress and that it should be completed in the near future? Does not he regard this project as one of importance and urgency?
§ Mr. HayYes, there is no doubt about that. We certainly regard it as one of importance and urgency and should like to do this work as early as we can. The trouble is that we are facing a major rehousing problem at Tinsley where there are 200 houses which have to be demolished. That will take some time. The motorway will run through difficult country. Much of the route affects industrial as well as residential development and there will be a number of major constructions, such as the viaduct over the Don Valley, which will cost a great deal of money. We must be given a little more time to try to solve these very difficult problems in the interests of the constituents of the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. TileyIn view of the delay which is likely to take place in the building of this spur—for which there is no responsibility attaching to my hon. Friend who is merely carrying out the instructions of this House—may I compliment him on the work done on the A.1? There has been a remarkable transformation 390 during the last few years. May I ask what he is doing about the single blockage left at Newark which is all the more important now because of the delay on the M.1?
§ Mr. HayNewark is a litle way from the Sheffield-Leeds motorway. I gave my hon. Friend some information on this yesterday and I hope that we can get on with it very soon.