HC Deb 19 January 1976 vol 903 c903
6. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present target date for completion of the dual tracking of the A55 road.

Mr. Barry Jones

Nearly 12 miles of dual carriageway have been built. A further 45 miles are planned. Progress will depend on the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and the availability of funds.

Sir A. Meyer

Does the Under-Secretary accept that that reply is remarkable for its omission of any dates and that the assurance given by the Government that the A55 will have top priority after the completion of the M4 is tantamount to saying that this Government have no intention of doing any work on the A55 in the foreseeable future?

Mr. Barry Jones

I reject that suggestion. The further 45 miles which are being planned are estimated to cost £150 million. These include the Hawarden and Holywell Bypass. The firm programme will cost about £5 million. It is in that firm programme that the hon. Gentleman will find things of interest to his constituency.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Will the hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the inspector's report on the Colcon inquiry, which is concurrently proceeding, will be published in due course?

Mr. Barry Jones

Of course it will be published in due course, but we await the inspector's report. It would not be proper for me to comment on the proceedings at the public inquiry.