HC Deb 11 June 1951 vol 488 c165W
98. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent the decision to construct the Merthyr Tydvil Slip Road near Cardiff, by-passing that town to the east, was based on the need to avoid unemployment in that area; and whether he proposes to take such consideration into account in authorising urgent road maintenance and improvement works in other parts of the country.

Mr. Barnes

This road was constructed for the purpose of assisting industry in the South Wales Development area and improving communications between the industrial development in the Taff Valley and the Valleys to the east. In present circumstances expenditure on road maintenance is based solely on the condition of the roads and the traffic using them, while the small amount of money available for improvements must be limited to schemes necessary to maintain essential communications or to improve some of the worst accident spots.