§ 38. Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Transport if he has completed his consideration of the views of local authorities and others on the alternative routes for the M.4 motorway through Berkshire and Wiltshire; and if he is now able to announce definite proposals and the probable timing of the construction of the motorway.
§ Mr. HayNo, Sir. The areas through which this section of the London-South Wales motorway may pass are of unusual interest. We are making a careful study of the views expressed by the local authorities and many others who are concerned. We shall announce our proposals as soon as we possibly can.
§ Sir A. HurdWas it not as long ago as July that the Minister asked urgently for the views of local authorities on three alternative routes? As he is not likely to please everyone by choosing one of these routes, would it not be as well to make his choice so that we can have the argument and see whether we can amend the Minister's choice?
§ Mr. HayThat is a rather forbidding prospect. What we are trying to do is to reach the highest degree of general agreement on the line for the road. A number of ideas have been examined and others are still under consideration. I think that we Should be given a little longer to come to a provisional conclusion, which, in any event, would have to be publicised and laid open to the statutory objection procedure which Parliament has imposed.
§ Mr. HoltIs not this another case where delay is being caused because the Ministry has not carried out far-reaching enough and adequate traffic and engineering surveys on alternative routes? If a 391 proper alternative scheme had been put before the local authorities a decision could have been taken long ago.
§ Mr. HayI think that the hon. Member is quite wrong. The reason for delay is that three of the possible alternative routes would pass through areas of very high natural beauty. Nothing gets people in this country more excited than the possibility of natural countryside being despoiled. That is what has caused the delay.