§ 25. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is yet in a position to announce the preferred route for the Stoke-Derby route.
§ Mr. HoramWe hope to announce this summer proposals for dealing with the most urgent sections of the Stoke-Derby route. As I told the House on 16th November, it will take some time to deal with the whole of the link.
§ Mr. KnoxIs the Minister aware that my constituents in Draycott, Tean and Checkley are becoming angry about the delay on this route? Is he aware that 16 months have elapsed since comments had to be submitted on the different schemes? Can he offer an earlier date than one during this summer?
§ Mr. HoramNo, I am afraid I cannot. A date during this summer is a reasonable one, in view of the difficulties of the scheme. The hon. Member knows that we have had to consider not only the question of the villages to which he has referred but the whole of the 42-mile link between Stoke and Derby, and whether we should do this by way of a series of bypasses or a full motorway system. We shall have to see. On page 47 of the White Paper we say that this scheme will be started between 1981 and 1983. I hope that we can deal with the more urgent sections more expeditiously.
§ Mr. WhiteheadIs my hon. Friend aware that in Derby an inquiry is being conducted—it is now in its fourth week—on the question whether we should have an urban motorway through the town or take heavy lorry traffic to the south and east? This would include the proposed Derby-Stoke line. When will the Department declare its hand and allow a fair consideration of both these alternatives?
§ Mr. HoramI hope that the Derby public inquiry, which is now in its fourth week, will give full and proper consideration to the Allestree link road.