HL Deb 03 February 1972 vol 327 cc956-7

3.9 p.m.

LORD ALLERTON

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 whether plans have been made for the A.47 road to by-pass the village of Billesdon, Leicestershire; and, if so, when are they likely to be implemented.]

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, a recent re-appraisal of the proposals for a by-pass of Billesdon is now being considered by the Department of the Environment.

LORD ALLERTON

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Can he say how long these considerations are likely to take?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, it is not very easy to say. The scheme has to be considered against other calls on road expenditure. However, I can say that if the decision to go ahead was taken and it was put in the preparation pool, construction might begin within five years.

LORD ALLERTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the A.47 road is the main road from the industrial Midlands to the East Coast ports and the growing City of Peterborough, and that the volume of traffic has of recent years increased considerably?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, we are aware of this, and the local council has made representations about this matter. The fact that the centre of Billesdon has now been designated a conservation area will no doubt help the noble Lord's case.