HC Deb 27 October 1976 vol 918 cc467-8
29. Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce any proposals for a national lorry route; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Horam

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 4th August by my hon. Friend the former Minister for Transport, the Member for Dudley, East (Dr. Gilbert).

Mr. Madden

Can my hon. Friend indicate when this statement will be made? Is he aware that it is causing concern, not least among local authorities? May we have an assurance that no road, such as the A646, which runs parallel to a motorway will be included in any proposals for a national lorry route?

Mr. Horam

Consultations are still going on about the proposed national lorry route and I cannot say when there will be some clear guidance. One problem is that there is no consensus on the question of such a route.

Much as I would like to be able to do so, I cannot give my hon. Friend the assurance for which he asks, but the A646 is unlikely to be one of the roads that will be considered, as it runs parallel to the M62, which would be the obvious lorry route.

Mr. Hal Miller

Does the hon. Gentleman realise the concern caused by the delay in reaching a decision to those working in the motor and commercial vehicle industry? Will he prevail on the Department and his right hon. Friends to reach a decision and announce it speedily, in order to remove the grave uncertainty that already affects the motor industry as a result of the transport policy document?

Mr. Horam

I understand and sympathise with the point made by the hon. Member, but serious issues are involved, on which people are taking contradictory views. We have to allow adequate time for them to be resolved. However, we can make progress on local bottlenecks and difficulties. The regulations that many local authorities are passing under the impetus of the Dykes Act, for which I was partly responsible as a Back Bencher, are making a real contribution.