§ Sir J. Fletcher-Cookeasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the concern of Southampton Chamber of Commerce that the construction of the new South Coast trunk road should not be further delayed; to what extent his reply of 6th November, 1964, to the Chamber's letter of 23rd October, 1964, means that he does not contemplate any major improvement to the Southampton-Portsmouth section of this road until after 1968; and whether he will give further consideration to bringing forward this project, following the proposed northern route, which is unlikely to interfere with redevelopment of this area following the Government's review of the South-East Study.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI regret that this proposal must wait until other schemes of even greater urgency already in the programme have been provided for. Meanwhile, I shall press ahead as quickly as possible with its planning. I hope to 95W be able to publish a draft Order for the line of the road later this year.
Major improvement at the Fareham Station Bridge is programmed and will be started as soon as the preparatory work can be completed. Other less extensive improvements to the existing road will be made where this is feasible and funds permit.