HC Deb 27 October 1971 vol 823 c1725
25. Mr. Waddington

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Calder Valley Highway.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Preparation of Stage I between the M6 and Burnley is continuing. Stage III of the route between Burnley and Colne is being considered as a candidate for the forthcoming extension of the principal road preparation list.

Mr. Waddington

Now that Lancashire County Council and the Burnley Borough Council have agreed to accept Stage III as a principal road, will my hon. Friend do his best to see that this very important road from the point of view of industrial development in North-East Lancashire is included in the preparation pool, with a view to its being completed at the same time as Stage I?

Mr. Heseltine

We shall be announcing the new list of schemes for the preparation pool early next year, and shall of course give the matter urgent consideration.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the more he accelerates road programmes the more essential it is to accelerate legislation to bring up to date the compensation for the houses knocked down in the process—something for which our hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Graham Page) was such an enthusiast when we were in Opposition?

Mr. Heseltine

I am sure that no one could doubt that the enthusiasm still burns very deep in my hon. Friend's mind. The Government hope to conclude their review of the matter as soon as possible.