HC Deb 27 March 1968 vol 761 cc1523-4
11. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a further statement about the date when work will begin on the Dovercourt-Harwich Bypass.

Mr. Swingler

This scheme is in the principal road preparation list and decisions on its construction will depend on the progress made by the Essex County Council, as highway authority, in preparing the details of the scheme.

Mr. Ridsdale

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he continually stalls about when this road will be begun? As a considerable amount of traffic is going for export, will he do his best to see that it is done fairly soon?

Mr. Swingler

Far from stalling, my right hon. Friend has approved this scheme for preparation. It now depends on how quickly the highway authority can prepare details of the scheme. We are well aware of the problem here and this scheme will be committed to the programme as rapidly as possible. One thing which we have done in the mean time is to get on with the improvement to the A.604 over an eight-mile stretch.