Roads Programme (Hansard, 28 March 1973)

§ 20. Mr. Dormand
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to announce the next roads programme; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Peyton
Work is at various stages of preparation on £2,000 million worth of schemes which will complete a primary network of about 3,500 miles of high quality strategic trunk routes during the early 1980s. In addition, about £2,000 million worth of principal road schemes are at present being prepared by local authorities, and a further £600 million worth are in the firm programme.

§ Mr. Dormand
Is the Minister aware of the deep concern in the Northern Region about the inadequate allocation of moneys for raising road programmes? Does he not agree that to approve 16 schemes out of a total of 428 for the country is inadequate to meet the needs of the changing scene of the industrial North? The region vitally needs an increase in the number of schemes costing more than £250,000, which I believe is the yardstick in the Department. Will the right hon. Gentleman also give serious consideration to the possibility of increasing the number of schemes costing less than that amount, in order to provide minor link roads? Apart from being more labour-intensive they will lead to a greater use of existing major roads.

§ Mr. Peyton
I am aware of the importance of road development in the North-East, as elsewhere, but I consider that the North-East has not done so badly in the past. If the hon. Member has any particular worries I shall gladly consider them.

§ Mr. J. H. Osborn
Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that completions of the existing programme are going forward at the rate planned and that expenditure is being incurred as estimated for? Will he assure us that this process will continue at an expanding rate?

§ Mr. Peyton
One would always wish progress to be quicker but we do our best to maintain the rate.

§ Mr. Leonard
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is widespread concern in my constituency and neighbouring areas about the proposals to construct one motorway, or possibly two, to the projected new airport at Maplin? Will he try to assuage that misgiving by publishing, as soon as possible, some indication of the exact route which such motorways might take?

§ Mr. Peyton
Yes, Sir.