HC Deb 16 January 1989 vol 145 cc3-4
2. Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding trunk roads in East Anglia.

The Minister for Roads and Traffic (Mr. Peter Bottomley)

We receive a wide variety of representations, both in the context of the statutory procedures for trunk road proposals and otherwise.

Mr. Yeo

Is my hon. Friend aware that East Anglia is one of the fastest growing regions of the country and consequently has been experiencing great pressure on its road system? Is he aware in particular that the Al2, which passes through my constituency and links the east coast towns of Felixstowe and Ispwich with London, the M25 and the Dartford tunnel, is in urgent need of a third lane in each direction and the completion of the central safety crash barrier? Will my hon. Friend give sympathetic consideration to these possibilities?

Mr. Bottomley

Yes, yes and yes.

prices, in the railways this year is £560 million. That will go up to average about £755 million over the next four years. That is a massive increase, and in real terms it is double what it was in, say, 1970.

Mr. Snape

Why will the Secretary of State not give a proper answer to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Pollok (Mr. Dunnachie)? Is is not a fact that while passenger train miles are increasing, the number of seats available is falling? Does that not have an impact on both comfort and safety? What justification is there for the constant round of swingeing price increases in real terms for travelling on British Rail?

Mr. Channon

As I tried to explain to the House, British Rail is achieving much better use of its trains—[Interruption.] I am surprised that the Opposition do not wish British Rail to be efficient. I am amazed that they think that it would be better for British Rail to be inefficient than efficient. We are getting a far more efficient service out of British Rail, and the level of investment in British Rail under a Labour Government shows that a great deal of what they say is humbug.

The information is as follows:

Mr. Haselhurst

When will a final decision be made on the A120 project, which links the M11 with the A12, and which was mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo)? Will my hon. Friend take into account the fact that the line of route suggested by Essex county council has almost unanimous support from all the parties, such as the parish councils and the environmentalists? Surely it would be folly to depart from it.

Mr. Bottomley

It is encouraging when local people and local authorities work together with the Department. There is not much point in us agreeing on something that they do not like because it would then take much time to resolve differences. My hon. Friend asks about when we can solve the problems of the A120. That will take time as it is a long road, but we are dedicated, both in this region and others, to ensuring that our roads eliminate congestion, provide environmental relief and cut casualties.