HC Deb 25 November 1981 vol 13 c883
19. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about continuation of the M56 from Portwood, Stockport to Denton.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We believe that this road should be built as soon as possible. Statutory proposals were published in 1980 and a public inquiry into objections should be held next year. Subject to the completion of statutory procedures and the availability of money, work could start in 1984.

Mr. Bennett

Does not that answer confirm that the timetable for this road has slipped considerably? Design work is still continuing and there is growing despondency in Stockport about the traffic chaos that will result from the opening of the next section and the fact that a considerable number of construction workers will be out of work because this scheme has not followed immediately upon the existing one.

Mr. Clarke

I accept that the scheme has slipped a bit. I hope, however, that the public inquiry will take place next year and that work will commence as soon as design has been completed. The sort of issues that we have had to consider have been representations by the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks) and his constituents about the scale of the flyover proposed at Denton. Details of that kind have to be considered before there is a public inquiry.