§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will classify the Ellesmere Port motorway as a trunk road.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost and earliest starting date of the M56 Hapsford to Lea-by-Buckford extension, the Chester southerly bypass, and the southern extension of the Ellesmere Port motorway to the A56 at Hoole for onward connection by the A41 to the northern end of the Chester southerly bypass.
§ Mr. SpeedThe Chester southern bypass should receive authorisation to proceed to start of work early in 1974–75. The estimated total cost when programmed was about £5 million.
M56 Hapsford to Lea-by-Buckford is being reviewed for a place in the firm roads programme. The estimated cost and possible starting date are included in this consideration.
The Ellesmere Port motorway extension to A56 at Hoole is a principal road scheme and was recently transferred into the firm roads programme at an estimated cost of about £5 million. My right hon. and learned Friend is reviewing the 390W future principal road programme and as yet the timing of this scheme has not been decided.