§ 9. Sir David KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to include the Biddulph bypass in the highways capital programme for Staffordshire.
§ The Minister for Roads and Traffic (Mr. Robert Key)It is up to Staffordshire county council to decide whether to include the Biddulph bypass scheme in its next bid for highway capital.
§ Sir David KnoxIs my hon. Friend aware that his Department considers the Biddulph bypass a very useful scheme? Is he aware that there is an urgent necessity for the bypass to reduce congestion, improve traffic safety and facilitate industrial development? As it will be on the list submitted next year, will he approve it?
§ Mr. KeyI look forward to seeing the details of the scheme. It is important and I would only add to what my hon. Friend has said that I am sure that it would also be of enormous benefit to the people in Biddulph, on that very busy road between Stoke and Congleton, and that the environmental benefits will be substantial. Of course, it has featured in earlier Staffordshire transport policies and programme bids, but it has not so far been sufficiently advanced to be considered for transport supplementary grant. I will consider it very carefully and bear in mind the strong representations that my hon. Friend has made.
§ Dr. WrightIs the Minister aware that a route has been proposed for the Birmingham northern relief road—a privately funded toll road which, interestingly, has a form of tolling that the Government rejected in their Green Paper?
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. We are dealing with Staffordshire at the moment. [Interruption.]
§ Dr. WrightI am sure that the Minister is aware that the Birmingham northern relief road passes through southern Staffordshire. Is he further aware—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. You have a Speaker who knows the region very well. It is nowhere near that area: I know that.