§ 1. Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the conclusions of the public consultation exercise over the Avonmouth relief road.
§ The Minister for Roads and Traffic (Mr. Robert Atkins)I hope to be in a position to announce the preferred scheme in the late spring or early summer of this year.
§ Mr. SternI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his reply, which shows the speed of action and consideration that 3 Ministers are giving to that much needed project in my constituency. When my hon. Friend announces the preferred scheme, will he take the opportunity to announce also that the much disliked flyover that was attached to the original scheme has now been finally dropped?
§ Mr. AtkinsI must reiterate how strongly we feel about the pressure that has been put on us by my hon. Friend, who does not cease to push the case for that relief road in his constituency. I cannot give him an absolute assurance at this stage, but certainly his views will weigh heavily with me and my inclination at the moment is that the flyover will not be necessary at the controversial place about which my hon. Friend is so concerned.
§ Mr. SayeedMy hon. Friend will be aware that many planning and investment proposals await his decision. Is he further aware that many of my constituents will be pleased to hear that his Department is dealing with the matter with considerable speed?
§ Mr. AtkinsI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his concern. He, like my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Stern), has pressed us on many occasions. He and his constituents will be pleased that we are pressing ahead as fast as we can.