HC Deb 01 July 1964 vol 697 cc1332-3
41. Sir S. Storey

asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to authorise the length of the proposed Sale-Altrincham bypass from M.62 to Carrington Lane B.5166.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

It is too early to say. The joint committee of local highway authorities in the South-East Lancashire and North-East Cheshire conurbation gave higher priority to other schemes in the area and did not include this bypass in their recommended programme of works up to 1972. The situation will be reassessed in the light of the more comprehensive transport survey which the local highway authorities are now carrying out.

Sir S. Storey

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the development of the oil terminal at Partington and of Petrochemicals at Carrington is causing very heavy tanker traffic through Urmston seeking to gain access to the M.62? Is he also aware that Urmston is a residential district and its roads are totally unsuited to this traffic? Therefore, will he give urgent consideration to an earlier start on this link, which would enable such traffic to reach M.62 quickly?

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

As I said, we will look at this again when we have the result of the forthcoming transport survey.

Mr. Mapp

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that access to Manchester from the south and to the south through the M.6, which is concerned with this road, has turned out differently from the forecasts of his advisers and that the trunk road into Manchester through Altrincham, Sale and Stretford is completely overburdened? Will he look at this problem again, because the forecasts have not been vindicated by the facts, as drivers are choosing the Manchester direction via Knutsford, rather than via Holmes Chapel?

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

These are some of the reasons for the further transport survey which is being carried out.