HC Deb 07 May 1975 vol 891 cc1421-2
19. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the M18 and M62 and the date of completion as far as the city of Kingston upon Hull.

Mr. Carmichael

Except for the Ouse bridge, I expect the M62 east of the Al to be completed in the latter part of this year; the Ouse bridge should he completed in the spring of 1976. Proposals for the final section of the M18 from Wadworth to Armthorpe were published in January and a public inquiry is likely in the autumn. Thereafter, progress will depend on the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of funds.

Mr. Wall

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable concern about the slippage which is implicit in his answer? There is also concern about the date of completion of the Humber Bridge. The slippage should give time for the Minister to consider the essential feeder roads such as the Beverley South-West Bypass and the northern approach to the bridge. Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to do that? It is really rather essential.

Mr. Carmichael

I am aware of the slippage, which was caused partly by the late delivery of steel, partly by the fuel crisis and partly by the three-day working week. I shall give serious consideration to the point that has been raised by the hon. Gentleman. I hope that in the very near future Humberside will at long last have a good road network.

Mr. James Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that the biggest single factor inhibiting the advance, future happiness and prosperity of Hull is the lack of decent motorways out to the west to the Al? If the Secretary of State can expedite the completion of this programme he will not only deserve but will be given the freedom of the city of Kingston upon Hull.

Mr. Carmichael

I am sure that that is a temptation to which my right hon. Friend is almost certain to fall. My hon. Friend will realise that the Humberside roads have been a sore problem for a very long time. If my hon. Friend cares to write to me I shall be able to give him a list of the final decisions which have been made on these roads. The list is too long to recite to the House now. Most of the roads will be finished by February or the spring of next year. I think that we shall have a very good network for North Humberside.