HC Deb 23 February 1987 vol 111 cc9-10
9. Mr. Pike

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the projected date for commencement of construction work on the M65 link to the M6-M61.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Time will be needed for design work and the normal statutory procedures, including a public inquiry. Construction could then start in the early 1990s.

Mr. Pike

Does the Minister accept that his answer is not acceptable to the people of north-east Lancashire? This motorway has the overwhelming support of the people in that part of Lancashire, and we have been arguing the case for it for more than 20 years. We want the motorway to be started by 1990, and we want it to be up to motorway standards.

Mr. Bottomley

We will do the best that we can. The hon. Gentleman mentioned a 20-year delay. Part of that delay was due to the Labour party halving the money for new national roads between 1974 and 1979. Perhaps in the long-promised Supply day debate on "Fresh Directions" we may hear the Labour party's plans for road spending.

Mr. Favell

There may be problems in Burnley, but a lot of good work is going on in the north-west. However, what about the A6M? There will be overheating not just of engines but of a lot of people in Stockport if something is not done about that soon. When can we expect the public inquiry?

Mr. Bottomley

I hope soon to be able to announce the date of the public inquiry. We are considering a large number of representations received since the inquiry into the Denton to Middleton section of the Manchester outer ring road ended in January last year.

Mr. Straw

Does the Minister not understand that the reason for the inordinate delay in the construction of this link is that the Government cancelled the link altogether in April 1980 and did not restore it until three years later? Is he aware that the result has been to produce major congestion, especially on the northern roads around my constituency and on the road between Blackburn and Preston? Bearing in mind the delays so far, can the Minister give any promise that the work to put this link on to the M61 will be speeded up?

Mr. Bottomley

We shall do what we can, but I cannot promise to speed things up. The hon. Gentleman referred to what happened in 1980. The reason why a number of schemes were suspended or shelved in 1980 was that the previous Government cut the money but did not cut the number of schemes. We must recognise the need for bet ter roads without covering the countryside with concrete. We want the roads that are necessary for industrial employment and we look forward to Labour party support as we continue to provide such roads. If the Opposition want to offer an alternative agenda, they should put a few sums to it.