HC Deb 16 November 1992 vol 214 cc5-6
4. Mr. Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the improvement of the A470; and what work has been done so far.

Sir Wyn Roberts

Since 1979 over £115 million has been spent on the A470. We have plans to spend a further £120 million including the major improvements shown in the 1992 "Supplement to Roads in Wales".

Mr. Knox

Does my right hon. Friend expect that the whole route will eventually be upgraded to dual carriageway standard? If so, can he give any idea of when that might happen?

Sir Wyn Roberts

There is no economic or environmental justification for upgrading the whole route to dual carriageway standard. Our policy is to undertake selective improvements for safety reasons and to reduce journey times.

Mr. Rowlands

If the economy is to be made to grow by investing in capital projects, is there not a better scheme to extend the A470 than the one from Pentrebach to Cefn Coed? Will the right hon. Gentleman move heaven and earth to bring in the scheme ahead of schedule and get it started in 1993? Will the Minister at least assure us that the development of the A470 scheme will not be the subject of any silly experiments along the lines of private financing or tolling, as foreshadowed in the autumn statement?

Sir Wyn Roberts

The Pentrebach to Defn Coed scheme is one of the bypasses envisaged under the plans that I just mentioned. If the hon. Gentleman looks at the supplement for "Roads for Wales" he will find the time band in which it has been placed. Meanwhile, the draft line side road orders were published in September and draft compulsory purchase orders are expected to be published this month. A public inquiry could be held in the spring of 1993.

Mr. Jonathan Evans

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of my constituents will be greatly relieved to hear that he does not propose to drive a dual carriageway through some of the loveliest parts of mid Wales, where there is clearly no economic demand for such a road. On behalf of my constituents, I ask him for an assurance that the representations made at the presentation in Builth Wells, concerning the proposed bypass, will be closely considered by his Department before any announcement is made?

Sir Wyn Roberts

I can certainly give my hon. Friend the last assurance that he requested. Consideration is being given to the views expressed following public consultation. I am glad that he agrees that, on environmental grounds, there is no case for upgrading the whole route; nevertheless, as he knows, many parts of it require improvement.

Mr. Alex Carlile

While there is no requirement for a dual carriageway throughout Wales from north to south, will the Minister tell the House by what date we can expect a decent-quality trunk road from north to south Wales? Will it be in this century or in the next?

Sir Wyn Roberts

Certainly we are improving the A470 and the A483. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the considerable improvements that have been carried out. I have mentioned that among our future plans are the Pentrebach, Cefn Coed, Merthyr bypass, the Builth Wells western and eastern bypass, the diversion east of Llangurig to Wern Villa, the Commins Coch bypass, the Lledr Valley improvements and the Llanwrst bypass, with a possible further improvement to the Pontypridd to Coryton section of the A470. We expect considerable progress, in addition to the considerable improvements which have already been carried out.