HL Deb 27 February 1964 vol 255 cc1223-4

3.15 p.m.

THE EARL OF SANDWICH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when a second carriageway will be constructed on A.30 along the stretch known at Hartford Bridge Flats.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (Lord Chesham)

My Lords, my right honourable friend has been considering this question, but in fact this stretch of road will be largely superseded by the Basingstoke motorway and there is not adequate justification for providing a second carriageway meanwhile.

THE EARL OF SANDWICH

My Lords, can my noble friend tell the House when the works on the Basingstoke motorway will be started? If it is some years ahead, would he take into account that this particular road named in my Question has one of the highest commercial vehicle densities in the South, that it, is a notorious accident spot, that there are already two carriageways immediately to the East and the West of it, and there is vacant land—indeed derelict land—immediately to the South, which could easily be used without large compensation payments being involved?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I cannot tell your Lordships when the works can start. All I can tell your Lordships is that the draft scheme is in course of preparation at the present time. I was not aware of the fact that this road has an ultra-high accident record, because my information is that it is somewhat below the national average for a road of its type. On the other hand, I was perfectly well aware that there were stretches of dual carriageway on each side of this road, because we put them there deliberately to give some relief to the traffic that we know uses the road.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that, since traffic is going to be doubled in ten years' time, there is a need for this work now to ease the traffic difficulties there in addition to the proposed new West Country motorway?

LORD CHESHAM

Yes, my Lords, I was aware of that. But I am also aware of the fact that it is our duty, and we do our utmost, to spend the money that we have available to the best possible advantage in the national interest.