§ 15. Mr. Laneasked the Minister of Transport whether, in the light of the report of the East Anglia Economic Planning Council and of the recent Ministerial decision affecting Cambridge roads, he will now give higher priority to the northern and western bypasses projected for Cambridge.
Mr. Bob BrownPreparations are going ahead on the Western bypass and being considered for the proposed Northern bypass as a preliminary to future programming. This preparatory design and other work is necessary before decisions can be taken about priorities.
§ Mr. LaneWill the Parliamentary Secretary do his best to make an early announcement about the Northern bypass, which is needed just as urgently, if not more urgently, than the Western bypass? If he intends to visit East Anglia during the Summer Recess, will he bear in mind that he will be very much welcomed in Cambridge to see the situation for himself?
Mr. BrownI am grateful to the hon. Member for his kind invitation to look at the situation in Cambridge. My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement in the next few weeks relative to the Northern bypass.
§ Sir Harwood HarrisonWhile welcoming what the hon. Gentleman has said, may I ask him to bear in mind the importance of the A.45 road from Birmingham to the docks at Ipswich and Felix-stowe? This is a main highway which is particularly important in view of the fact that more goods are being taken from Hayes Wharf, such as in the Polish bacon trade, and sent to Ipswich and Felix-stowe.