§ 28. Mr. Ronald Bellasked the Minister of Transport whether he will construct that part of the Denham-Stoken-church motorway which will constitute 1297 a by-pass of Beaconsfield so that it is open for traffic at approximately the same time as the Wycombe by-pass section.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThat will not be possible. The High Wycombe by-pass is planned to start next Spring. Its extension to Denham, by-passing Beaconsfield, was always conceived as being of lower priority than a by-pass of High Wycombe. It is in course of preparation, but it is bound to be some time before work could start.
§ Mr. BellDoes not my hon. and gallant Friend realise that once the Wycombe by-pass is completed the amount of traffic on the A.40 will be increased by all those drivers who have hitherto gone to great trouble to avoid the experience of driving through Wycombe? Is he further aware that the western approach to Beaconsfield on the A.40 carries a very heavy burden of traffic and has a terrible accident record, with deaths and injuries totalling about twenty people per mile per year? Furthermore, does not he realise that, if there is an interval between completion of the Wycombe by-pass and the completion of the Beaconsfield by-pass, the effect on Beaconsfield on the A.40 approach to it will be quite lamentable?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettOf course, we appreciate the points made by my hon. Friend, and there have been representations from the local authorities on this subject. But I am sure he will realise that it is a feature of many road improvements that they give rise to traffic problems at each end. It is impossible to complete every by-pass at the same time. We must deal first with those which are most urgent.
§ Mr. BellOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity of raising this matter on the Adjournment.