§ 21. Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of Transport when he hopes to start improvement on the A.66 between Rokeby Bridge and Smallways; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SwinglerWe have no plans for the improvement of this length of road in the next few years.
§ Mr. KitsonWill the hon. Gentleman say what he means by "the next few years"?
§ Mr. SwinglerWe hope that conditions on this road, which we recognise to be unsatisfactory in a number of ways, will be relieved by the further pushing forward of the M.6. Obviously, it will have to be reviewed from time to time during the next few years, but the condition of this road is not such as calls for urgent action or inclusion in the road programme now.
§ Mr. KitsonDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that there were 23 accidents on this short stretch of road in two years? Surely that calls for some action?
§ Mr. SwinglerI realise that there have been accidents. Although the accident record is serious, it is not above the national average. There are so many other cases which have a much higher priority that it is quite impossible to include the improvement of this road in the road programme at the present time. We recognise that something will have to be done after the immediate programme has been completed.