HC Deb 10 March 1969 vol 779 cc966-8
31. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will announce the date for the completion of the spine road for the South-West; and what progress has been made in respect of this since the publication of the Report of the South-West Economic Planning Council.

Mr. Marsh

The M5 to Edithmead in Somerset, the north-eastern end of the spine road, is programmed for completion in autumn, 1972. A further extension of M5 to Exeter and improvements to A38 and A30 south of Exeter were announced in the Report "Roads in England" dated March, 1968. All these are now actively in preparation and are expected to be completed by the mid-1970s.

Mr. Emery

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have been attempting to press him and his colleagues on what exactly they mean by "the mid-70s"? This could range from 1974 to 1978. What is essential for this area for the progress and improvement of industry and tourism is that we should have a definite date for the spine road to be completed by 1974. Will the Minister attempt to do that?

Mr. Marsh

Yes, this would be round about the middle of the 1970s, and I will certainly do what I can to stick to this promise, that we will do this by the mid-1970s. It is difficult to give accurate dates long in advance, because one cannot be sure how long some of the procedures will take, but at the moment I can say: as quickly in the mid-1970s as we can.

Dr. John Dunwoody

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the completion of this spine road is vital for the economic and social development of the South-West Development Area? Will he consider the possibility of bringing forward his proposals for the peripheral part of the spine road in Devon and Cornwall so that the completion dates for all of the road come at about the same time?

Mr. Marsh

It is difficult to bring these things forward rapidly as there are of course, competing demands on the same resources. We recognise, however, the importance of the spine road to the area, which is why it has this degree of priority.

Mr. Bessell

Does the Minister recognise that in view of the decision of British Railways to introduce a surcharge at weekends, which is wholly rejected by people in the South-West as being a gross imposition, there will be a serious increase in the flow of road traffic? Will he, therefore, give this matter even greater priority than he has done so far?

Mr. Marsh

I do not accept that that proposal will have any significant effect on road traffic.

Mr. Ellis

Will my right hon. Friend accept that he should be wary of giving dates, because our experience is that as soon as he details the route of even a limited extension, the very people who have all been shouting and pressing for the road then raise objections and want it in somebody else's backyard? Here we are to have this problem all the way down the peninsula. Some of the delays may be long, but they will not be my right hon. Friend's fault.

Mr. Marsh

I do not think that many of the things about which hon. Members complain in this House are my fault. and I accept what my hon. Friend says.

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