§ 1. Sir David 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.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. John Redwood)Since 1979, total spending by central Government on the roads programme in Wales has been over £2.6 billion, including £468 million in transport grant. Twenty-eight miles of motorway and 162 miles of trunk road have been completed or improved. Seven major improvement schemes totalling over 27 miles are under construction.
§ Sir David KnoxDoes my right hon. Friend agree that considerable progress has been made in improving the motorway and trunk road network in Wales since 1979? Will he further agree that this has been of considerable help in attracting inward investment to Wales?
§ Mr. RedwoodMy hon. Friend is right. The M4 and the A54 corridors have been most successful in attracting businesses. I should draw attention also to excellent train links. We are keen to encourage more freight by rail as well as by road. There are several policies that we are following with that in mind.
§ Mr. Barry JonesDoes the Secretary of State agree that the £60 million River Dee crossing scheme will hugely improve the attractions of Deeside industrial park? Is that why it is said that a United States pharmaceutical company will be coming to my constituency? Will he give some details about the project?
§ Mr. RedwoodThe hon. Gentleman is right. The Dee crossing will be most important. Like the hon. Gentleman, I welcome the announcement by the Welsh Development Agency today that there will be about 200 more jobs in Clwyd as a result of a United States pharmaceutical company establishing its European base in a WDA factory at Deeside industrial park. It is most welcome news. I am sure that improved transport links were some of the factors that led to the announcement.
§ Mr. SweeneyCan my right hon. Friend give any update on progress towards achieving a link road between 544 Culverhouse Cross and Cardiff-Wales airport? Will he confirm that he will resist any attempts to produce such a link via a green-field site?
§ Mr. RedwoodMy hon. Friend is right. We need to be careful about any such route. There are environmental and transport issues, which will be part of the judgment that will have to be made. I have asked that the county highway authority again examine its current proposals. I thought that they were too expensive. We need a scheme, however, and I hope that the authority will return soon with a sensible and realistically priced one.