HC Deb 09 February 1966 vol 724 cc388-9
28. Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects to begin work on the Godstone-Reigate stretch of the South Orbital Road.

Mr. Swingler

We hope in the year 1970.

Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

As this has been promised many times and was in the programme for 1966–67, how does the hon. Gentleman account for the delay, and why has not even a draft line been published?

Mr. Swingler

The right hon. Gentleman will know that this is an extremely difficult and complex scheme, with a great deal of technical work to be done in design and deciding on the land to be acquired in order to avoid damage to amenity and things of that kind. It will take a great deal of time. My right hon. Friend hopes to publish the Order for the line of the road in the course of this coming summer. Thereafter, we shall go through the statutory processes providing for objections and so forth. In our view, it is impossible to expedite the scheme.

Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of that reply—and, I expect, probably the reply to my Question No. 29 as well—I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.