HC Deb 27 March 1968 vol 761 c1523
10. Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport when the single carriageway sections of the A1 between South Mimms and Welwyn will be converted to dual carriageway.

Mr. Carmichael

There are two short sections still to be dualled—one as a motorway. Preparatory work, including the statutory processes, still have to be completed on each scheme. We cannot give firm dates, but we hope work will start on both sections in the early 1970s.

Sir R. Russell

Since the hon. Gentleman told me seven weeks ago in answer to a Question that the traffic flow on this section of single carriageway is greater than that on the motorway dual section North of it, is it not ridiculous to leave this section as one bottleneck in the A1 between London and the North of England?

Mr. Carmichael

We are of course pressing ahead and that is why this is included in the scheme and we hope that it will be started in the early 1970s. The choice of the best line has presented practical difficulties: there are engineering and economic factors involved, also amenity considerations. That brought in National Trust park interests, residents at Ayot Green and others, which caused a delay. This is always a difficulty when people have an important right to demand that amenity be considered, but it holds up the programme which the Ministry intends to get ahead with.