HC Deb 16 June 1965 vol 714 cc432-3
6. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Transport how he proposes to overcome the traffic problem at Okehampton in Devon.

Mr. Swingler

In the longer term, by the provision of a bypass. Some relief is already provided by signposting an alternative route for eastbound traffic, and further traffic management measures are under consideration.

Mr. Mills

Would the Minister, having turned down the inner relief scheme which was suggested to him, and the bypass being out for a number of years due to the cost of it, look at this matter again, because there is a very real problem, causing untold hardship to the very many travellers passing through the county?

Mr. Swingler

The bypass is not out. The fact is that this is a scheme which we consider necessary for the future, but at the moment its nature has not been assessed and it has not been programmed. We are certainly going to do work on it. Vie are reviewing proposals for new traffic management measures in Okehampton, and at the same time some minor improvements in the road will take place in the next few years.