HC Deb 16 November 1977 vol 939 cc550-2
3. Mr. MacFarquhar

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on plans for the M42.

Mr. Horam

I hope that early in the new year we shall be in a position to publish the remaining orders for the Bromsgrove section and the revised proposals for the Kingsbury and Polesworth sub-sections, to announce a decision on the subsidiary orders for the Water Orton sub-section and to consult the public on alternative routes for the Castle Donington section. This is subject to our current trunk road review.

Mr. MacFarquhar

I welcome that answer, but does my hon. Friend accept that there is considerable concern, on both sides of the argument about the M42, at the failure so far to reach any decision on the Castle Donington section? When making final decisions on the M42, will he undertake that apart from economic and trading considerations he will bear in mind suggestions for bypass routes, which could curtail considerably the money required for a full M42?

Mr. Horam

Yes, indeed. If my hon. Friend heard my replies to the previous Question he will realise that this is the very point that I had in mind. If we are to bring any relief to some of our villages, it is important to get ahead with bypasses. These quite often bring improvement faster than would a wholly new route.

Mr. Hal Miller

Will the hon. Gentleman turn his attention to the other end of the M42? Does he think that there is a greater need for the construction of the Bromsgrove section than for the widening of the dual-lane M5? Can he give any indication when we shall be able to discuss such matters? When will he issue a White Paper on the Government's motorway strategy?

Mr. Horam

We are at the moment reviewing the trunk road programme, and we shall bring our proposals to the House in the shape of a White Paper, as was indicated in the White Paper on transport policy, as soon as possible. I do not think that that will be too long. As regards the priorities between the M5 and these proposals, I still think that these deserve higher priority. These are for a new route rather than for improving an existing road.

Mr. Grocott

Is my hon. Friend aware of the crucial importance to Tamworth and its residents of the Tamworth section of the M42? In view of the town's tremendous housing record in providing overspill housing for the West Midlands conurbation, is not it time that it had the road structure that it requires?

Mr. Horam

I agree entirely. The growth of Tamworth has been especially impressive, since it has not had some of the advantages of other growth areas and the road planning has lagged behind. I hope that at a meeting later today I shall be able to give more encouraging news.

Mr. MacKay

Is the Minister aware that the majority of residents in the Midlands would be dismayed if vast sums were spent on building this motorway in these difficult times instead of merely having certain bypasses?

Mr. Horam

Our priority is to get value for money within a restricted road programme. I am sure that our proposals will meet those criteria.