HC Deb 18 May 1992 vol 208 cc4-5
4. Dr. Michael Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to reduce traffic congestion in south-east Essex.

The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. John MacGregor)

My Department and Essex county council are preparing several schemes that will benefit south-east Essex directly or indirectly. These schemes will complement work already completed and bring about a progressive improvement in traffic flows on both trunk and county roads.

Dr. Clark

May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his new appointment and wish him every success in his high office? Is he aware that Essex county council has been diligent in providing new roads and bypasses in the northern and central parts of the county where population is sparse, or at best moderate, but has not done so much for the south-east of Essex where there is heavy traffic and a great deal of congestion on the roads? Will he assist in redressing the balance by providing some funds for the Rochford bypass so that people may travel in and out of the Southend conurbation without bringing my constituency to a halt?

Mr. MacGregor

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his kind remarks. He will know that the Rochford bypass scheme might be eligible for transport supplementary grant suport. It is, of course, for Essex county council to decide what priorty to give to schemes which it submits for TSG support. He will also be aware that we accepted 18 major schemes in Essex in the past 10 settlements, so the county has received significant grant support. The bids for next year's TSG are expected by the end of July. I shall, of course, give careful consideration to Essex county council bids, whatever they are, but, as the House will know, all major schemes must compete for funds nationally on their merits. There are many more schemes than can he entertained in one year.

Mr. Mackinlay

Will the Secretary of State reflect that one of the best ways to reduce congestion in south Essex would be major funding of our clapped-out Fenchurch Street-Tilbury-Southend railway line which is universally considered to be an absolute shambles? Both sides of the House look to him for an early remedy. Will he consider that whatever happens to this afternoon's legislation, it will be irrelevant to the immediate needs of commuters and travellers in south Essex who want an immediate upgrading of that clapped-out railway line, which his Government have failed to fund for many years?

Mr. MacGregor

This afternoon's debate will not be irrelevant. It is important for achieving improved services that we go down the route that we propose for British Rail. So what we shall discuss this afternoon will be highly relevant.

Dr. Spink

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the need for a second exit road from Canvey island not only to relieve congestion but for sound safety reasons to enable the island to be evacuated in the event of another disaster such as the one that befell it in 1953?

Mr. MacGregor

I have already said that it is for Essex county council to decide on the priority given to such schemes. But Essex has received favourable settlements, given that on average some £16 million each year for the past 10 years has gone into its TSG support. However, we shall consider the priorities that Essex county council puts forward when it submits its bids in July.