§ 23. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, as a result of his consideration of the volume of traffic and the pattern of traffic movements since the Forth Road Bridge was opened, he will designate the length of road from the Admiralty Flyover to the Forth Road Bridge as a trunk road.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonNo, Sir. It would be contrary to the intention of the Trunk Roads Acts to trunk the immediate approaches without trunking the bridge. This would require legislation.
§ Mr. HunterDoes not my hon. Friend agree that this length of road is to all intents and purposes and from all appearances a trunk road and is not a classified one? Would he not agree, further, that, since the time of the correspondence which took place between us, there has been ample time for him to consider a favourable decision on this question?
§ Dr. MabonAs I tried to indicate to my hon. Friend, the definition is laid down clearly and it would be inconsistent to have a short spur of trunk road 599 terminating at the north end of the bridge. It would require a change in the law to meet the point he is making, even if one were to accept it completely.
The Earl of DalkeithWould the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again and at the same time take into account the situation on the south side of the bridge, in particular relation to some of the roads running through Edinburgh which join up with the present approach roads?
§ Dr. MabonI am perfectly willing to look at the matter again within the context of the Answer I have given. We shall have the results of the national traffic census to consider, which we hope in August of this year will furnish us with more information which will entitle us to look at the general pattern of roads in the area. I hope that will satisfy my hon. Friend as well.