§ 26. Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to improve the main A5 trunk road between Chirk and Corwen, and, in particular, the dangerous bend at Bwlch y Rhysgog near Glyndyfrdwy.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasFive schemes costing in all more than £150,000 are pro- 1244 grammed for starting in the financial year 1971–72, including a visibility improvement at Bwlch y Rhysgog.
§ Mr. EllisI thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for that reply, but he will be aware that this is the main highway from London into North Wales and that a great deal of the economic viability of North Wales depends upon the quality of this route. Is he aware that on two counts—first, the considerable inconvenience due to traffic bottlenecks at Llangollen, with consequent queues of vehicles three, four and five miles long, and, second, the question of safety, especially at Bwlch y Rhysgog where there have been five fatalities in the 12 months ending last July—everything he can do to urge the programme forward will be greatly appreciated by the people who live in the area?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI agree with the hon. Gentleman. Work will start on these schemes when the engineering details have been agreed and the necessary land acquired.