HC Deb 21 February 1968 vol 759 c406
24. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on the progress of the Elloughton bypass on the A63.

Mr. Carmichael

An Order establishing the line of the bypass was made in August last year, and a Side Roads Order was published in October. Objections have been received to the latter and are at present under consideration.

Mr. Wall

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there will be a public inquiry? Can he give the House any idea of when the work is likely to start, and also an estimate of its date of completion?

Mr. Carmichael

The question of a public inquiry will depend on whether the objections can be mitigated without the necessity for it. It is hoped that the work will be completed by about the summer of 1971.

Mr. James Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is one example of the dozen, or perhaps two dozen, bottlenecks and the snags on this awful stretch of road between Hull and the A1? Can he say when he will improve this? In particular, can he tell us something about the beginning of the work on the Thorne bypass?

Mr. Carmichael

I would like notice of the particular case mentioned by my hon. Friend. Work on the connection between the Al and Humberside is going ahead as quickly as possible, but my hon. Friend must realise that a fair amount of time is required between the original decision to build a road, and its being completed. The statutory processes alone take about two and a half years.