HC Deb 14 March 1968 vol 760 cc1584-5
3. Mr. Arthur Pearson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in what month of the current year will work be commenced on the first sections of the Cardiff to Merthyr trunk road.

Mr. Ifor Davies

My right hon. Friend hopes to let the contract for the Tongwynlais to Nantgarw scheme in September.

Mr. Pearson

Did I understand my hon. Friend to say September?

Mr. Ifor Davies

Yes.

Mr. Pearson

The scheme was approved for the present financial year, and we had an announcement that work would commence in the early months of the summer. Now it is thrown to the end of the year. Cannot we get a move on with these things?

Mr. Ifor Davies

I acknowledge with regret that there has been some delay, due to some very good reasons, but I believe that the main difficulty has now been overcome. Subsequent to a public inquiry last October into objections in to the compulsory purchase order, we agreed to consider further representations about the effect of the scheme on one plot of land.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Would the hon. Gentleman tell his hon. Friend that he is relatively lucky compared with some other parts of Wales?