HC Deb 20 June 1979 vol 968 cc1310-1
22. Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to publish the alternative routes for the road joining the M20 interchange at Cheriton with Dover.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

In the autumn. At the Folkestone end the road will start from the terminal of the M20, about a mile east of the Cheriton interchange.

Mr. Costain

Is my hon. Friend aware that the M20 was built with the prospect of the Channel tunnel as a terminal, it being a terminus road, but that good old Socialist planning resulted in its terminating without the Channel tunnel? Is he further aware that conditions are so appalling that we shall have much more traffic going through Folkestone, and that that road ends in a council estate? Will my hon. Friend come to Folkestone and see the conditions?

Mr. Clarke

I am aware of the problem, not least because my hon. Friend has already pointed it out to me. I accept that there is an urgent need to go ahead with new road schemes to deal with it, but he will realise that there are important environmental problems over finding a suitable route for the road required. I am a visitor to Folkestone from time to time, and when I go there I shall pay particular attention to the matters pointed out by my hon. Friend.