HC Deb 20 June 1984 vol 62 cc272-4
2. Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give priority to ensuring the completion of the Edinburgh outer city bypass within the agreed time scale.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Michael Ancram)

Yes, Sir. We have offered Lothian regional council, which is responsible for the bypass, special financial assistance of one third of the cost of the remaining sections of the road.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Is my hon. Friend aware that the worst traffic congestion in the east of Scotland is on the Glasgow and Queensferry roads? I welcome the 30 per cent. contribution by the Scottish Office to the project, but does the Minister agree that it is vital for the project to be completed as soon as possible, in the interests of improving the infrastructure of the development areas of Scotland, as well as the amenity of Edinburgh and to relieve traffic congestion?

Mr. Ancram

As a local Member of Parliament, I am well aware of the need for that road. However, the timetable for completing this local road project is a matter for Lothian regional council. I understand that its current programme provides for completion of the four remaining sections by 1990 or 1991. Clearly, we shall wish to ensure, so far as possible within the constraints, that that timetable is adhered to.

Mr. Strang

But does the Minister accept that, although everyone is in favour of the outer city bypass, the real road issue in Edinburgh is the western relief road? Is it not clear, as shown by the recent elections, that there is massive opposition in Edinburgh to that proposal, which will do nothing but harm to the traffic situation in central Edinburgh? Would it not be nonsense to proceed with an inquiry based on the provisional order and waste all that money on a road scheme which everyone knows is a dead duck?

Mr. Ancram

The western relief road is also entirely the responsibility of Lothian regional council. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the council has deposited a draft provisional order, in accordance with the statute. A number of petitions have been received and lodged with my right hon. Friend on that basis. If those objections were sustained there would be an inquiry into the order by parliamentary commissioners. If the hon. Gentleman is so keen, as I understand he is, to have an inquiry, that will allow him to make the complaints that he wants to make.

Mr. Foulkes

Will the Minister, who is the Member for Edinburgh, South, confirm that all the roads to be built around and into Edinburgh will not delay in any way the start and construction of bypasses around Maybole, Auchinleck-Cumnock and New Cumnock?

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is what I feared.

Mr. Ancram

Can I answer that?

Mr. Foulkes

Yes, go on.

Mr. Ancram

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on managing to introduce his own constituency into the question. Clearly, we must take a balanced view of the road needs right across Scotland. At the same time, in making financial assistance available to Lothian regional council for the road, we are recognising its importance for communications within that area.