§ 3. Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with progress on the construction of the north Devon link road; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe are making excellent progress towards completing this new 47-mile length of new road for the summer of 1989.
§ Mr. SpellerIs my hon. Friend aware, first, that better roads are safer roads and, secondly, that the west country is duly grateful to this Administration for at long last giving it the roads that it needs? Will my hon. Friend let me know when we may expect a start on the remaining portions of the north Devon link road?
§ Mr. BottomleyI am grateful to my hon. Friend. The contract for the next section has been let and we hope that work on the Barnstaple bypass will start within a few weeks.
§ Miss Emma NicholsonWe are most grateful for the Bideford bridge in the constituency of Torridge and Devon, West which joins the north Devon link road. Can my hon. Friend confirm the date on which the road will be completed?
§ Mr. BottomleyWe hope that the road will be open by the peak summer holiday season of 1989. I know that if we can achieve that it will be as welcome as the east of Okehampton stretch, which we opened last week.