§ Sir Raymond Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the total estimated commitments outstanding on 31st March 1974 and the total estimated new commitments in 1974–75 in respect of new construction and major improvements for trunk roads and for principal roads and loans to highway authorities, respectively.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe information is as follows:
Commitments outstanding on 31st March 1974 Estimated commitments 1974–75 £m. £m. Trunk roads (including motorways) 38.9 24.2 Principal roads 13.1 11.4 Loans to highway authorities Nil Nil 52.0 35.6
§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total cost of the major road schemes in the firm programme and the preparation pool programme for the Principality; and what are the respective figures for Carmarthenshire.
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§ Mr. John MorrisThe total cost of road schemes valued at £¼ million and over is as follows:
Firm programme Preparation pool £m £m Wales 90 137 The former county of Carmarthenshire 3 14
§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the major road schemes in the firm programme for Carmarthenshire, giving the proposed starting date and cost; and if he will also list those schemes in the preparation pool for the county, giving the cost of each scheme.
§ Mr. John MorrisTrunk road schemes costing over £¼ million in the former county of Carmarthenshire in the firm programme and the preparation pool are:
Scheme Estimated Gross Cost (£m) (a) Firm Programme A40 St. Clears Bypass and St. Clears Ffrwdwen 1.8 A40 Pontargothi Diversion 0.3 A40 Pentretygwyn/Llwyn-y-Wernwood 0.3 A483 Abercrychan and Cynghordy Diversion 0.3 2.7 (b) Preparation Pool A40 Carmarthen Eastern Bypass 2.0 A40/A48 Carmarthen Southern Bypass 2.2 A40 Carmarthen-Banc-y-felin 2.9 A40 Pontyfenni Diversion 1.2 A40/A483 Llandeilo Eastern and Northern Bypasses 2.0 A48 Cross Hands-Drefach 3.5 13.8 The starting dates depend upon the satisfactory completion of tile relevant statutory procedures and the availability of funds.
§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress being made with the Carmarthen, St. Clears, Whit-land, Llandeilo and Llandovery bypass schemes.
§ Mr. John MorrisI hope to reach a conclusion shortly on the alternative route suggested by objectors to the published proposals for the Carmarthen southern bypass which in turn will have repercussions for trunk road improvements more widely. A public inquiry56W will be held later this year into objections to my published proposals for the St. Clears bypass. The views of the public on the Llandeilo proposals were sought last month and are still being received Preparatory work on the Whitland scheme continues. I am at present considering my consultants, report on the feasibility study for the Llandovery bypass.