§ 10. Mr. Bill Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve the roads around Perth; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindThe major planned improvement to the trunk road system around Perth is the construction of the Perth western bypass. I intend to let a contract for the works as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. WalkerI thank my hon. Friend for that reply and also for the interest that he has shown in this bypass, where there have been difficulties agreeing the line of route. My hon. Friend's intervention has been helpful. Will he now assure me that he will have an early meeting with regional authorities and the district council, which are concerned that when the western bypass is completed there will be no access from the Crieff road? Is he aware that industrialists and other commercial users locally are concerned that the bypass, which has taken so long to be completed, due to hold-ups, will not be fully effective to meet modern needs arising from increased transport on the Crieff road?
§ Mr. RifkindIf the various slip roads suggested for the route were inserted in the programme, it would add almost £500, 000 to the cost of the programme. But the design of the road enables slip roads to be added, if they can be justified, at a future date. I hope that this will be some reassurance to my hon. Friend.