§ 2. Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he took to consult residents along the route affected before giving his consent to use of the "Dragon" route through the village of Gwernaffield by traffic during the summer months in order to relieve congestion in Mold.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Barry Jones)Clwyd County Council was consulted as the body responsible for local interests and as the local highway authority for the roads which form the "Dragon" route.
§ Sir A. MeyerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a very bad breakdown of the procedure of democratic consultations and that the inhabitants of these hitherto peaceful villages are to have their calm and safety rudely shattered, without having had any opportunity of expressing their views? Will he give an undertaking that he will conduct the earliest possible review of the working of this route and that if it is found to be objectionable on environmental grounds he will terminate the experiment as soon as possible?
§ Mr. JonesI am aware of the hon. Gentleman's worries about this matter. I assure him that this is an experiment for only a six-month period, that the 986 route is based on one drawn up and advised upon by the local police, and that a little amount of traffic on only one or two weekends is involved.