§ 27. Mr. Speedasked the Minister of Transport if he will now announce his decision on the road improvements to the A5 trunk road in the borough of Tam-worth; and when he estimates work will start on them.
Mr. Bob BrownNo decision can be taken on the need for or the timing of any improvement of this section of A5 until the highway network for the expanded town of Tamworth has been settled, and of course the effects on A5 traffic of that network and of other trunk road works in the area have been studied.
§ Mr. SpeedThat is a very disappointing reply. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the road problems at Tam-worth, particularly the A5, have been shelved by successive Ministers of Transport over the past 20 years; and that if 9 no action is taken in the near future both the A5 and the borough of Tam-worth will grind to a standstill?
Mr. BrownI would not dissent from what the hon. Gentleman has said about some previous Ministers, but I certainly believe that my right hon. Friend is getting on with this job as expeditiously as possible. The hon. Gentleman should understand that this work depends on the completion of the transportation study which has been put in hand by the Staffordshire County Council.