HC Deb 17 October 1968 vol 770 cc556-8
9. Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name individual lengths of motorways and dual carriageway roads, respectively, which will be started in Wales in 1969.

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

At the beginning of 1969 work will just be starting on two schemes on which contracts are expected to be let in 1968, the Tongwynlais—Nantgarw Section of the A470 Cardiff—Merthyr Road and the Raglan—Usk Section of the New Midlands Road. Before the end of 1969 we hope, unless unforeseen difficulties arise over land, to start work on Stage 2 of the Cardiff Inner By-pass (Eastern Avenue) and the Nantgarw—Glyntaff Section of the Cardiff—Merthyr Road. The principal road link between Eastern Avenue and A48 is also programmed to start in 1969. All these are dual carriageway schemes to near motorway standards.

Mr. Evans

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the programme is totally inadequate to the needs of Wales? What is needed is not so much what we heard of from the Secretary of State on Tuesday—a pool of good intentions, which may stretch forward to the distant future, perhaps towards the end of the century—but immediate starting dates for great projects such as the road from Carmarthen to St. Clears?

Mr. Davies

We are fully conscious of the need for these dual carriage-way roads. The details that I have outlined come to 19½ miles altogether, bringing the total by the end of next year to 90, a remarkable figure.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Will my hon. Friend appreciate that the value of export trade from the South Wales docks in the first nine months in this year declined compared with the corresponding period last year? Will he appreciate, therefore, that there is also a need to expedite road building between South Wales and the Midlands and South Wales and the South-East of England if the South Wales docks are to win their battle for survival?

Mr. Davies

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is very conscious of this and is examining programmes at the moment in connection with the matter.

10. Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state where and what lengths of dual carriageway roads have been completed in wales during the last 12 months.

Mr. Ifor Davies

The total mileage completed was 9.1. With permission, I will circulate the further details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Evans

Will the hon. Gentleman try to get the Government to show their sincerity in their professions about Wales by embarking on a much more ambitious programme than this? Surely this is absolutely poverty-stricken in view of the great need that we have throughout Wales for highways, which are the key to industrial and economic development in our country?

Mr. Davies

Having regard to the resources available, we are doing far more than was ever done before, despite the importance of these roads. We are also doing a tremendous amount to improve traffic flows by well-designed smaller schemes where traffic volumes do not justify dual carriageway roads. In this connection, I would remind the hon. Gentleman of the Nant y Caws Hill in his constituency.

Mr. Gower

Will the hon. Gentleman recollect the number of fatal accidents and bad injuries caused by accidents on the main road from Barry to Cardiff through Wenvoe, which reveal the urgent necessity for a much better road and possibly a duel carriageway, and will he look at the matter again with a view to helping the Glamorgan County Council which has not the funds to provide the road that is needed?

Mr. Davies

We are very conscious of the importance of road safety, and that is why we are concentrating on the smaller schemes where we can possibly help.

The following is the Answer:

In the twelve months ended 31st August, 1968, the following lengths of dual carriageway roads were completed:

Abergele By-pass 3.6 miles
Gibraltar-Mitchell Troy 2.7 miles
Sycamore Cross 0.2 miles
Bagillt By-pass 1.3 miles
Wharf Road, Newport 0.3 miles
Sew Road to Wentloog Road, Cardiff 0.6 miles
Orchard Street, Swansea 0.4 miles
9.1 miles