HC Deb 28 November 1968 vol 774 cc693-4
1. Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will instruct his road engineers, in co-operation with appropriate local authorities, to plan variations of the proposed route of the Cardiff Northern By-pass, to avoid the necessity for demolition of houses at Lisvane, including houses erected in recent years; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Ifor Davies)

We are already doing all we can to avoid houses, but the demolition of some property in Lisvane is unavoidable if the road is to have a satisfactory alignment. I would stress that the present line is provisional and might be varied slightly when the road is designed in detail and further surveys are carried out.

Mr. Gower

Does the Under-Secretary appreciate that there is a large degree of uncertainty and that many people, some of whom have bought expensive houses in recent years, are apprehensive about this and are unaware whether their properties are affected?

Mr. Davies

My right hon. Friend will regret it as much as anyone if houses have to be demolished, but this road will carry through-traffic to and from South Wales and a satisfactory alignment is most essential.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

While recognising the difficulty of alignment and the importance of this road, may I ask whether the Under-Secretary is in a position to tell the House how many houses will be demolished and for how long these houses have been built?

Mr. Davies

The line is provisional at the moment, and full details are not available. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the position is being fully investigated, and the concern expressed by him and his hon. Friend will be taken into account. The actual number of houses affected is not yet available, because the line is provisional.

Mr. E. Rowlands

Following what has been said, does my hon. Friend appreciate that the uncertainty caused by these matters creates a blight of areas and property much wider than the road itself will affect? Is he aware that it is necessary that local authority or central Government should make clear to individual residents whether they will be buying houses which may be, in a month or a year, acquired for the road?

Mr. Davies

We are fully aware of this, but when a new road is built some houses are inevitably affected. Consideration is given to all these matters and we will give as much advance information as possible.

Back to