§ 13. Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the primary road network in north-east Lancashire.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe joint trunk and county M65 motorway from Blackburn to Colne, together with the link via the M66 to Manchester, is progressively coming into use. When this key project and the other schemes in our programme are complete, the trunk network will be generally satisfactory; local roads are of course the county's responsibility.
§ Mr. LeeDoes my hon. Friend accept that a first-class motorway network is vital to the long-term economic development of north-east Lancashire? Therefore, does she acknowledge the strength of feeling about a full motorway link between the M65 and the M6 to the west and similarly, looking to the longer term in the east, a full motorway link to the Aire valley motorway to the east of Pendle?
§ Mrs. ChalkerI agree with my hon. Friend. Of course, a first-class motorway network is important. He knows 289 that we are already pressing ahead with preparations for essential improvements to the existing route to the north of Blackburn out to the M6. Following the meeting that I had in Preston, which was most useful, I shall consider any proposals from the Lancashire county council for the extension across to the M6. My hon. Friend spoke of an extension of the M65 eastwards into Yorkshire. There are no plans by us for that, because that road would have to be the responsibility of a county as the route is a principal route.