§ 8. Mr. Holtasked the Secretary of State for Transport by what date it is anticipated that financing will be available for work to commence on the Guisborough bypass.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThis is a matter for Cleveland county council. We are providing transport supplementary grant towards schemes costing £28 million, which also help the economic regeneration of Cleveland. Acceptance of Guisborough for TSG in the future depends on the priority given to the scheme by the county and its merits relative to the TSG criteria and competing programmes, within the resources available.
§ Mr. HoltI thank my hon. Friend for that answer and recognise that the responsibility lies with Cleveland county council, but does he recognise that the people of Guisborough, Skelton, Loftus and Brotton are being denied vital bypass roads because of the iniquitous attitude of Cleveland county council to any area where there is Conservative representation? Is my hon. Friend aware that that is bad for the region because it stops tourism and because the only potash mine in England is dependent 679 upon the roads in that area? We need the bypass urgently. Will my hon. Friend see what action can be taken to direct Cleveland county council?
§ Mr. BottomleyI do not envy Cleveland county council's job. 1 recognise that the Cleveland Initiative is of advantage in the county. Relief of communities from heavy through traffic is one of the criteria for the distribution of TSG. If Cleveland submits a bid for TSG to start work in 1988–89, we would hope to consider the scheme for supplementary grant in that year.