§ Mr. Roseasked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ensure that, in extending the M.6 motorway north of Carnforth, measures will be taken, by the construction of a bridge or otherwise, to preserve the amenity of the Lancaster Canal for the use of pleasure craft.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe extension of the motorway will cross the canal at several points. I have agreed to provide sufficient clearance to permit pleasure craft to continue to use the 42 miles of canal they at present use, except possibly for a few hundred yards at Tewitfield, at the extreme northern end of this usable section. The twelve miles north of Tewitfield is not in a fit state for navigation, and in view of the additional cost on the motorway and the cost of restoring this part of the canal, neither I nor the British Waterways Board consider that the provision of bridges on this section would be justified. The Board are therefore promoting a Private Bill seeking relief from the statutory requirements relating to the part of the canal which will be affected.