§ 7. Mr. Idris Owenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what objectives he will have in mind when considering the proposals to be made by 1706 highway authorities for urban road schemes to be added to the preparation list; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)Early next year I intend to add to the principal road preparation list a large additional instalment of schemes to a total value in the region of £500 million-£600 million. I shall look particularly for schemes which contribute towards overall transport planning—including improvement of public transport services—and produce environmental benefits such as the relief of historic towns.
§ Mr. OwenI am sure that my hon. Friend is aware of the very serious unemployment situation in the North-West of England and other areas of this country. Therefore, will he consider the possibility of launching a crash programme of urban road construction to alleviate the situation? Will he also consider reducing the period between planning and construction of urban roadways? Is he aware that it often takes between five and 15 years to bring plans to fruition?
§ Mr. PageA crash programme for employment is already in hand and £162 million has been allocated for this purpose. I think that the time for the preparation of roads will be reduced by the flexible procedure in the recent Highways Act.
§ Mr. MarksWhen considering the phasing of schemes, will the hon. Gentleman take note of the danger of doing the parts which are easiest to do first instead of those which are most urgent, because some bad bottlenecks have been created by dual carriageways leading to previous bottlenecks?
§ Mr. PageWe do not want to create bottlenecks of that sort, but it is important that we should get on with that which can be done and that which is already planned without waiting for a longer length to be planned in some later year.