§ 3. Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress of road construction in south-west Wales.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasA large programme of trunk road schemes in South-West Wales is being undertaken. Five schemes costing nearly £12 million are in progress. Twenty-three schemes are in the firm programme, costing over £20 million. Seven are in the preparation pool, costing over £23 million. Since last March, four schemes, each over £50,000, to a total cost of nearly £½ million have been completed.
§ Mr. McBrideIs the Secretary of State aware that 140 industrial and commercial concerns in Swansea have waited more than 10 years for improved road access to the city, that they are apprehensive about the long-term delay in bringing the end of the M4 to a point nearer Swansea, and that, with them, I look for a dual carriageway access to the city from that point? May I remind the right hon. and learned Gentleman that Cardiff is not the only city in Wales, and that Swansea is the other? Despite the road improvements that have been made, the people of 5 Swansea and of West Wales generally believe that progress is deplorably slow in the light of modern traffic conditions.
§ Mr. ThomasMy first priority remains the construction of the M4 as far west as Pont Abraham. Allied to this is the need to ensure that trunk roads serving Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are improved as necessary to meet the need for good communications between South-West Wales and the industrial areas of South-East Wales and of England. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that communications are vital. I assure him that there will be no delay which is not occasioned by the necessity to observe the proper procedures.