§ 23. Mr. P. Williamsasked the Minister of Transport when the A.184 road from Sunderland to Newcastle will be improved.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThe dualling of the 2½ miles section from Gateshead to Heworth has been completed. Work on the further 1½ miles eastwards to White Mare Pool should start next year. We hope that within the next four or five years work will start on the remaining 1½ miles to the proposed Sunderland by-pass, and also on the by-pass itself, which will be the main distributor for traffic to the Sunderland radial roads.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs my hon. Friend aware that the earlier part of his Answer refers to parts of the road that no longer matter, because they are quite good already? Is he further aware, however, that the second part of the road—from White Mare Pool on to Sunderland—is in urgent need of improvement, more particularly because it is alleged to cross a level crossing which in fact is the roughest thing between here and Barwick?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI will bear that point in mind.