§ LORD SEGALMy 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 what delays are now preventing the start of the reconstruction of the Oxford Northern By-Pass, and on what date this reconstruction is due to begin.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LINDGREN)My Lords, statutory procedures under the Highways Act. 181 1959, are unlikely to be completed in time to permit work to be started on the complete scheme before 1967. My right honourable friend's Divisional Road Engineer is urgently considering with the City and County Councils, whether it would be possible to make an earlier start on part of the scheme. A number of interim measures are also being examined.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for at least the latter part of his reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that the most recent fatal accident on this road was a shocking affair, endangering the lives of caravan dwellers in an adjacent field? Would he not consider imposing now some restriction, such as single-line traffic, at the most obvious danger point in this road, as he will have to do once the work of reconstruction has begun?
§ LORD LINDGRENYes, my Lords. The Divisional Road Engineer has had meetings with both the County and City engineers to consider the questions of speed limits, street lighting, prohibition of right turns, offset double white lines and the establishment of ghost islands at intersections.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, can my noble friend give an assurance as to the date when these initial proceedings will be begun?
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, as soon as possible.
THE DUKE OF ATHOLLMy Lords, in the interests of those who drive along this road, can the noble Lord say whether there is likely to be a great deal of dislocation of traffic while this work is being done?—I do not mean painting the white lines, but the building of a second carriageway.
§ LORD LINDGRENNo, my Lords.