HC Deb 01 July 1964 vol 697 cc1323-4
13. Commander Kerans

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to improve the road conditions from West HartlepoolviaGreatham to the A.1.

Mr. Galbraith

We hope to issue grant later this year on a scheme for by-passing Greatham. When this is completed the A.689 link to the A.19 trunk road will be a reasonably good road.

The improvement of A.19 as far as A.1 at Dishforth is included in the Government's special programme for the North-East and we aim to start work on all sections within the next five years. This programme also includes improvement of other east-west links between A.19 and A.1.

Commander Kerans

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his remarks. Surely we have been nibbling at the problem of communications to the A.1 via Greatham for a long time? Will he do all in his power to speed this up, otherwise we shall not get any industry into the area?

Mr. Galbraith

That is exactly what we are doing. We are speeding it up.

Mr. Shinwell

What does the hon. Gentleman mean when he says that work on the A.19, along with other links, will be commenced within the next five years? Does that mean one year, or two, or three years hence, or four and a half years hence? May we have some clear indication about how this work is proceeding? Has he any idea of the effect on the industrial development of the area?

Mr. Galbraith

I said that work would start on all sections within the next five years. The work on some sections will start earlier than five years.