HC Deb 02 June 1980 vol 985 cc1019-20
2. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many miles of motorway and dual carriage road are at present under construction in Wales.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Michael Roberts)

A total of 16.2 miles of new motorway and 21.8 miles of dual carriageway trunk roads. In addition, work has started on widening 2.6 miles of the M4 at Newport.

Sir A. Meyer

Is my hon. Friend aware that the visible progress in the dualling of the A55 in my constituency is a source of great reassurance at a worrying time? Can my hon. Friend give me an assurance that he will do everything possible to protect the major items in the road programme from any cuts?

Mr. Roberts

Priority is to be given within the programme in Wales to the proposed dual carriageway improvement of the A55. I hope that, within 12 months, work will start on three important A55 bypasses at Bangor, Colwyn Bay and Hawarden. This is subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory and contractual procedures.

Mr. Anderson

What are the expected completion dates of the two remaining stretches of the M4 apart from the Baglan-Lonlas stretch?

Mr. Roberts

It is hoped that the Coryton-Castleton section will be open this summer and that the section bypassing Bridgend will be opened next summer.

Mr. Best

Is my hon. Friend aware of the correctness of what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said a moment ago about the need for the A55 and the provision of employment prospects in Gwynedd in North-West Wales? Will my hon. Friend give an absolute assurance that there will not be any slippage from the dates given by my right hon. Friend and that every priority will be given to ensuring that that programme goes ahead?

Mr. Roberts

We stick firmly to our target of completing the improvements by 1987 or 1988.

Mr. Roy Hughes

When we consider South Wales is there not a need to give the highest possible priority to the completion of the road scheme for Newport in order to ease traffic congestion in residential areas, to ensure that freight can be moved efficiently and to attract new enterprises to the town? Will the hon. Gentleman's Department now provide the funds for this very necessary work?

Mr. Roberts

These are county schemes and they will be given proper consideration.