HC Deb 18 October 1972 vol 843 c251
18. Dr. Stuttaford

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a statement on his recent discussions with Norwich City Council on the proposed southern distribution road.

Mr. Graham Page

Discussions and consultations have been held with Norwich City Council in the course of the study into the possible need and corridor for a southern bypass of the town. The study is being carried out by Norfolk County Council on behalf of the Department. It is proceeding as planned and should be completed during this year.

Dr. Stuttaford

Will the right hon. Gentleman take particular note of the views expressed to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths) when he paid an official visit to the city this month to hear about our road problems? We feel that this road is the answer to the preservation of the city. We in Norwich and Norfolk also feel that we are suffering from too many study groups and committees and that there are not enough road workers actually doing the work.

Mr. Page

We are getting on with this study and hope to have the results by the end of the year. In the meantime, the proposals for Thorpe Road, which I know are a matter of much concern locally, have been suspended and the transportation study for the area will be ready by 1973, but it will be affected by the results of this study in terms of a bypass road.