§ 14. Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards the completion of the Stocksbridge bypass and associated road works.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe intend to complete the detailed design work and publish draft orders later this year. We hope to be ready to start construction in 1982–83, but this will depend on resources being available.
§ Mr. McKayIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the closure of the Manchester to Sheffield line via Woodhead will cause a spur from British Steel, Stocksbridge to Sheffield 12 miles long? Is he aware that neither British Rail nor the BSC intends to maintain it, and that, therefore, the only way that steel can be moved from British Steel, Stocksbridge is by road, with all the problems that that will involve? Will he consider asking British Rail to delay that closure until the bypass is completed?
§ Mr. ClarkeWith some ingenuity, the hon. Member has got back to the subject of the closure of the Woodhead tunnel line. As he knows, that is the responsibility of the British Railways Board. It is a freight-only line, and it is for British Rail to decide the future of that line, which is losing a lot of money when the traffic can be carried on other lines.