HC Deb 27 October 1971 vol 823 cc1703-4
3. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest position regarding the route on completion dates of the M62 and the M18 from their junction to the city of Kingston upon Hull.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Michael Heseltine)

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member's Question on 18th October.—[Vol. 823. c. 75–76.]

Mr. Wall

As there appears to be some doubt whether the final part of this road, from Morecambe to Hull, will be of motorway standard, can the Minister at least assure us that it will be of sufficient standard to accommodate the traffic generated by the Humber Bridge, and the additional traffic generated by 1975?

Mr. Heseltine

These are precisely the subjects that we are studying on our survey. Of course it will be our intention to ensure that the roads are adequate for the purposes required.

Mr. James Johnson

If the Under-Secretary would care to consult the Secretary of State, would he ask him whether, when he was in the area some days ago, he discussed this matter with the local people? Does the hon. Gentleman know how important it is for Hull to have the image of a city that one can reach quickly and easily? This is the biggest single handicap facing my constituency.

Mr. Heseltine

I am sure that the decision about the Humber Bridge will have been welcomed in the area. The Government are concerned to ensure that the image is precisely as the hon. Member describes it.

Mr. McNamara

May I assure the Minister that we welcome his Government's decision to follow the decision of the Labour Government to build a Hum- ber Bridge? Can he be more specific about the M62? If the port is to develop, it is of vital importance that there should be a proper motorway link between Liverpool and Hull, and with the main trunk roads. We want something more specific than general statements.

Mr. Heseltine

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would want us very carefully to look at the traffic flows generally to see what effect they would have in the area of the route that he is discussing, but we are anxious to reach a speedy decision on this matter.