HC Deb 03 November 1966 vol 735 cc633-4
9. Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state, giving the mileage in respect of each, those motorways or lengths of motorway for which no line had yet been proposed, a draft scheme had been published, a scheme had been made, tenders had been invited, a contract had been placed, which were under construction, and which were in use, respectively, as at 31st October.

Mr. Ifor Davies

The following lengths of motorway are under construction:— M4—Crick-Newhouse—2.75 miles. M4—Newport bypass—6.7 miles. M4—Coldra-Crick—9.1 miles. The A48 (M) Port Talbot by-pass, 4.4 miles in length, was opened to traffic on 22nd July, 1966. There were no lengths of motorway at any of the other stages mentioned.

Mr. Gower

In view of the fact that the plans of the Government for the future creation of a motorway in Wales are disappointingly small, can the hon. Gentleman say whether there will be a re-examination of this matter?

Mr. Davies

My right hon. Friend is considering this important matter now as part of the current study of the Welsh road programme in the 1970s.