§ 8. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement about the Government's policy with regard to the building of the Calder Valley Link Road.
§ Mr. MulleyI have not yet completed my consideration of the report on trunk and principal road communications in North-East Lancashire. But I hope to be able to make an announcement very soon.
§ Mr. DavidsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in North-East Lancashire we consider the building of a fast route linking North-East Lancashire with the proposed new town as absolutely essential if we are to benefit from the new town? Why can we not have this decision soon rather than late?
§ Mr. MulleyWe accept the importance of an improved link road between the Calder Valley and the M6 and I hope to make a decision very shortly, but the report covers a very wide amount of road building in this area and requires, I think, some study before deciding the priorities.
§ Mr. WaddingtonDoes the Minister recall that this road was first promised immediately before the by-election in Nelson and Colne in 1968? Does he not think he ought to get cracking before he is overtaken by another election?
§ Mr. MulleyJudging by the result of that by-election, perhaps I ought to defer a decision until after the next election. Then maybe we would have a more satisfactory result for that election. The study was set up by Lancashire County Council with all the local authorities concerned. I think it not only right that I should study the report but that I should have time to settle the priorities. I accept the need for improved roads between the Calder Valley and the M6.