HC Deb 29 June 1987 vol 118 cc235-6
1. Mr. Waller

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a further announcement about the proposed A65 Addingham bypass.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Peter Bottomley)

I expect to make an announcement shortly.

Mr. Waller

Is my hon. Friend aware that the residents of Addingham will think it entirely apt that the first oral question of this Parliament should relate to a scheme first proposed half a century ago and awaited impatiently ever since? Without wishing to prejudge the inspector's report, may I ask my hon. Friend to take account of the fact that almost all the evidence given to the recent inquiry favoured the Department's preferred route? Will he therefore seek to minimise any remaining delays relating to the statutory procedures before construction commences?

Mr. Bottomley

Yes. I am aware that I need to get rid of some of the commitments made by Hore-Belisha before I can start to complete some of my own.

Mr. Page

Is there any similarity between the position on the A65 bypass and that on the A41 bypass, where the delays are allowing heavy traffic to shake the towns of Kings Langley and Berkhamstead and bring misery to my constituents?

Mr. Bottomley

The similarity is that both my hon. Friends and many Opposition Members are keen for necessary roads to be built. We have to go through democratic procedures and we often learn from consultations. I hope to be able to announce tomorrow that the public will be able to see the latest proposals for the A41. I hope that they will benefit from some of the changes and will support the scheme if they approve of it.