HC Deb 03 April 1974 vol 871 cc1252-3
21. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the future motorway programme.

27. Mr. Mather

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the implementation of the road programme.

Mr. Mulley

I am satisfied that, after allowing for a substantial transfer of traffic and resources from road to rail, the continued development of a national network of inter-urban roads is justified. I am reviewing the priorities of individual schemes within the programme in the light of the funds likely to be available over the next few years.

Mrs. Short

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a widely held view that the whole of the motorway programme needs to be re-examined on the grounds of cost to the nation, land use and national amenity? Is he further aware that many people feel that part of the cost of the motorway programme should be used to improve the urban bottlenecks within our towns and cities rather than that we should carve up great swaths of countryside to build more motorways? Will he carry out such a reexamination before taking steps to build any more motorways?

Mr. Mulley

We are reviewing the whole programme, but I think that my hon. Friend is not expressing a majority view when she suggests that the interurban fund should instead be spent on building roads in urban areas.

Mrs. Short

I did not say that.

Mr. Mulley

Indeed, I have received a great deal of contrary advice to the effect that it is the urban roads that create blockages in urban areas. There is a lot of controversy. I find that some of the most eloquent advocates of no road building are the most persistent supporters of a particular road development. That in essence is the problem.

Mr. Mather

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a date for the start of the Esher bypass, bearing in mind that this idea was conceived 30 years ago and we are still waiting for it?

Mr. Mulley

I am afraid that I cannot give a detailed reply to a general question of that sort. I shall let the hon. Gentleman know the answer.