HL Deb 19 July 1966 vol 276 cc364-5

2.47 p.m.

LORD SEGAL

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of the present project to widen the Oxford Northern By-Pass on the A40 Road; and what would be the additional cost of re-routing its western end northwards to avoid the congested built-up areas along the present route.]

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, the estimated cost of the present proposals is £1.8 million. A preliminary estimate of the extra cost of re-routing the western end of the scheme is in excess of £1 million, and further studies would be necessary to establish whether such a line would be practicable.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, would he not agree that the overriding consideration is to proceed with the construction of this road as soon as possible, and would he also give consideration to the construction of a short link road, from Banbury Road to the Cherwell Bridge over the A.40, in order to avoid a densely built-up area?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, I will bring this situation to the notice of my right honourable friend. We do not want to delay this scheme too long, and I remember the noble Lord himself pressed us about a year ago to proceed as quickly as possible with the scheme, which we are now being to put into operation very soon.

LORD SEGAL

May I again thank my noble friend.