HC Deb 06 February 1974 vol 868 cc1203-5
12. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will halt the building of all inner ring roads on motorways inside towns which would involve the demolition of houses or the loss of housing land and on which work has not started.

Mr. Peyton

No, Sir.

Mr. Allaun

Does the Minister accept that homes must come before roads? Is not the place for ring roads outside rather than inside built-up areas? Will the Minister bow to the upsurge of anger in town after town against these multi-lane motorways which are destroying whole communities and ripping open the hearts of our cities?

Mr. Peyton

I am far too great a coward not to run away before any great upsurge of anger, but I do not believe that there is one. The hon. Gentleman's question about homes coming before roads is a very glib but useful electioneering argument in the hands of some persons. The word may not have reached the hon. Gentleman yet, but the need for roads arises largely to meet the needs of people, and houses with no means of road access might be of limited use.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

Is it not a fact that, if we are to implement the proposals in a recent White Paper for keeping cars out of city centres, inner ring roads are as important as middle and outer ring roads? Would it not be better if, in the city of Sheffield, for instance, the ring roads proposed 25 to 30 years ago were now constructed rather than still being under construction?

Mr. Peyton

By drawing attention to the fact that it takes some time to make progress in this country my hon. Friend is performing a useful service. I agree with what he said.

Mr. Jay

In view of the completely altered prospect for petrol prices and supplies, should not all new motorway schemes, whether urban or rural, be critically reviewed?

Mr. Peyton

Yes. These projects are constantly under critical review. The need for these roads is always being reviewed. Nothing has happened so far to obviate the need for good road communications. We have not yet reached that point.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

While I broadly agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on the proposed schemes, may I ask whether the Minister accepts that, in the case of urban inner road motorways such as the East Central motorway in Newcastle, which is virtually completed, involving consequential road schemes such as the coast road and the North-West radial route where massive demolition of property has taken place, it would be a nonsense not to proceed?

Mr. Peyton

I entirely accept the point made by the hon. Gentleman. I also accept that no one in his senses would wish to engage in policies which involve unnecessary destruction of valuable house properties.