43. Mr. Geoffrey Wilsonasked the Minister of Transport what major road improvement schemes she has approved for the A30 road in Cornwall and Devon which will have a starting date within the next 12 months.
§ Mr. SwinglerDuring the next 12 months work should start on four improvement schemes at Lewdown, Bridestowe, Lanivet and Hayle Junction.
Work should also start on 11 other important but by comparison inexpensive improvements.
Mr. WilsonWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he appreciates that the A30 carries much the greatest part of the commercial traffic in the shape of china clay, agricultural produce, and so on from Cornwall, and not the A38? Will he make sure that nothing is done to delay improvements on the A30 which are urgently necessary?
§ Mr. SwinglerI have shown that we recognise the need for improving the A30, and we are doing so. On the other hand, the hon. Gentleman will know that the Joint Committee for the South-West recommended that priority should be given to the A38.
§ Mr. Peter MillsWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that due to the closure of railways in this whole region, this road is really the main artery to the South-West and bears increasingly heavy loads?
§ Mr. SwinglerWe recognise the heavy load, and that is why improvement schemes are being carried out. Long consultations went on with the highway authority, and, I repeat, the Joint Committee for the South-West recommended priority for the A38.