§ 36. Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for improving the roads connecting Nottingham and King's Lynn.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe City of Nottingham and King's Lynn are linked by the A52 and A17. The A52 is a principal road and is the responsibility of the local highway authorities. Three major improvement schemes on the A52 are in preparation and a fourth was added to the preparation list yesterday. From its junction with the A52 near Swineshead, the A17 trunk road is to be comprehensively improved to King's Lynn by the early 1980s.
§ Mr. ClarkeI thank my hon. Friend for that reply, but is he aware that in this part of the country in recent years north-south communications have been raised to a high standard while east-west communications lag significantly behind? Will he add to his welcome announcement about new links between the Midlands and the East Coast ports and about this route an assurance that there will be a full programme for improving the flow of traffic between the Midlands and the East generally?
§ Mr. HeseltineI am sure that there has been a major improvement in our proposals over the last few months. I am glad that my hon. Friend finds satisfaction in what I have sought to do.