London-Portsmouth Road

HC Deb 09 December 1968 vol 775 c26

36. Miss Quennell

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for improving the main A3, London-Portsmouth road, to motorway standards.

Mr. Bob Brown

Decisions about a possible high-standard route by-passing the A3 from south of Petersfield to Guildford will be taken when the current feasibility study is complete. Meanwhile work has been completed, or is in progress, on the substantial improvement of certain sections of the A3, and other schemes are being prepared for the improvement of much of the remainder north of Guildford to a high standard.

Miss Quennell

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the A3 is the only early numerical Ministry road which has not had a motorway made beside it? It is now seriously congested. In view of the financial circumstances of the country, would it not be far better to make rapid improvements to the existing road rather than constructing a motorway, involving a feasibility study and all the consequential costs?

Mr. Brown

It is not the intention to make a motorway. What we are doing is precisely what the hon. Lady suggests.