HC Deb 27 October 1976 vol 918 cc457-8
15. Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the results of the feasibility study of the Swindon-Oxford-Milton Keynes road to be made available to his Department, bearing in mind that this study was started in 1972; whether the study will include reference to the need for the southern relief road for Leighton Buzzard; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Horam

The study is still in progress: and we hope to be able to make an announcement on its findings next year.

Mr. Madel

Is the Minister aware that the delay in reaching a decision on this route is holding up finalisation of the Bedfordshire County Council's structure plan? As the southern relief road for Leighton Buzzard is part of that plan, and this would be a great help to local industry and the grand design of Milton Keynes, will the Government speed up the decision?

Mr. Horam

I am sorry that it is taking so long, but it should not affect the council's plan, because it relates to the late 1980s. As far as Leighton Buzzard is concerned, as the hon. Gentleman knows, an inner relief road has recently been constructed, and the county council is now doing a traffic study of the southern relief road, which study will be published shortly.