HC Deb 27 January 1970 vol 794 cc1192-3
16. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement on the progress of the construction programme of motorways from the M1-A1 to Hull together with the approaches to the Humber Bridge.

Mr. Bob Brown

It is hoped that the contract for construction of the Hatfield-Thorne section of the M18 will be let this summer, and the Lofthouse-Ferrybridge section of the M62 in 1971. Preparatory work on the route of the M62 from Ferrybridge to Balkholme, and the remaining sections of the M18 between the A1 and the M62, have not yet reached the stage at which starting dates can be given.

The M62 and an improved A63 trunk road will provide satisfactory northern approaches to the Humber Bridge. A project feasibility study of the trunk and principal road network of South Humberside is in progress.

Mr. Wall

Has not the programme of the M62 and M18 already slipped by one year? In what year does the hon. Gentleman expect the extension of these two motorways to reach the City of Kingston upon Hull?

Mr. Brown

Slippage is another question, on which I cannot comment. Taking the hon. Gentleman's point to indicate that there should be motorway all the way to Hull, present forecasts of traffic on the A63 east of Balkholme do not justify the construction of a motorway.

Mr. George Jeger

Is my hon. Friend aware that recent investigations of the canal bridges along this peculiar stretch of country, which is flat and studded with canals and which also has a number of rarther dangerous railway level crossings, make it imperative that there should be a speed-up in the plans for this motorway all the way from the M1 and A1 through to Goole and on to Hull?

Mr. Brown

Everyone thinks that the building of roads in his area should be speeded up. We are doing well in this area. There is already dual carriageway for 5½ miles westwards of Hull. Elloughton bypass is under construction. This will extend the dualling for 2½ miles. The South Cave-Balkholme improvement, which is now in preparation, entails duelling to the present terminal of M62. I do not think that we can do any better.