§ 38. Mr. Peter Reesasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the importance of Dover as a port and of the traffic congestion in Dover, he will consider extending the M2 round the town to the eastern arm of Dover harbour.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineNo, Sir. We shall be prepared to consider extending the A2 around the town of Dover only when traffic requirements are shown to justify it.
§ Mr. ReesDoes my hon. Friend realise that the problem is urgent and the threat 1520 to Dover as a town and port is such as to justify an early extension? Will he give an assurance that he will not use as a pretext the possibility of a Channel Tunnel, as the previous Administration did?
§ Mr. HeseltineI can answer my hon. Friend in specific terms dealing purely with Dover. Conditions should be considerably relieved by the York Street diversion scheme, which will help all traffic, not just traffic to the eastern docks, and, as my hon. Friend knows, there are other schemes under consideration.