§ 2.32 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when it is anticipated that the Preston Motorway will be completed.]
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I understand from what my noble friend has been good enough to tell me that his Question refers to the extension of the Preston Motorway at its northern end, to by-pass Broughton. A line for a motorway between the Preston by-pass and the Lancaster by-pass is being prepared with a view to its publication in a draft scheme. I am afraid that at this early stage it is 469 too soon to say when all the planning and constructional work which lie ahead can be completed.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether, on behalf of the Minister, he will take note of the fact of the already enormous queues of traffic held up by Broughton village? It is my information that they are likely to get worse. Will the Minister take note of that, and impart such sense of urgency as is possible to those concerned with the completion of the original plan?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, my noble friend has already taken note of this aspect, and our information is that in fact a big cause of the jam at the moment is the pure curiosity of motorists who go to see the first motorway in Britain.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that before the motorway was constructed blocks of traffic, four to five miles long, formed on either side of Broughton village during the summer months?
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, can my noble friend say, in regard to the extension of this motorway, how the acquisition of land is going?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I understand that it is well in hand, and we are hopeful of publishing the line in the early part of next year.