§ 20. Mr. KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total spending by central Government on roads in Wales since 1979; and how many miles of motorway and trunk roads have been laid since that year.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsSince 1979, total net spending by central Government on motorway and trunk roads in Wales has exceeded £1.2 billion. In addition, over £260 million of transport supplementary grant has been provided to Welsh local authorities for improvement of their roads. Twenty-two miles of motorway and 134 miles of trunk road have been completed. Seven schemes totalling 16 miles are under construction.
§ Mr. KnoxMay I congratulate my hon. Friend on the size of expenditure on roads in Wales since he became a Minister 11 and a half years ago? Can he say anything about work in progress on the north-south road?
§ Sir Wyn RobertsI am glad to tell my hon. Friend that we have spent about £100 million since 1979 on improving the A470 north-south route; and we shall spend another £100 million on that same route. We have spent £50 million on the other north-south route, the A483, since 1979, and we shall spend a further £30 million in the not-too-distant future.
Mr. John P. SmithWhat does the Minister intend to do to get away from the ludicrous problem of Wales's national airport being serviced by a single-carriageway road?
§ Sir Wyn RobertsWe are always considering the situation of the airport and we look forward to its further development. I have heard the hon. Gentleman talk about the problems of prosperity in his area and around the airport, but he will be aware that the road to the airport is a county road.