§ 1. Sir Hector Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when construction work will commence on the Collin bypass and the Annan bypass, respectively, on the A75 trunk road.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. George Younger)Construction of the Collin bypass will start this financial year if outstanding objections can be resolved, and that of the Annan bypass in 1985, subject to satisfactory conclusion of the required economic appraisal and statutory procedures.
§ Sir Hector MonroIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is great disappointment at the lack of progress on the A75, especially with the Annan bypass? Will he consider setting up a task force now to meet the farmers and other interested parties to decide whether a public inquiry is necessary? Is he further aware of the strong feeling that there is a lack of urgency in his Department to get the bypass constructed?
§ Mr. YoungerI appreciate my hon. Friend's strong feelings about that bypass. We have an impressive continuing programme of improvement on the A75. My hon. Friend will know that we have received about 50 objections to the published proposals on the Annan bypass. I assure him that my officials and staff are doing everything that they can to resolve those objections as quickly as possible. We shall then decide whether a public inquiry is necessary.