§ LORD SWANSEAasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress is being made with the extension of the M.4 westwards from Newport.
THE LORD CHANCELLORThe whole line of the motorway has been fixed from Newport to Pont Abraham except for the sections between Castleton (East of Cardiff) and Coryton (North of Cardiff), and between Baglan and Lonlas. Draft proposals have been published for the Castleton/Coryton section. Possible routes for the Baglan/Lonlas section are still being considered.
Work on the Pontardulais by-pass is expected to start later this year and to be completed before the end of 1976. Subject to the satisfactory completion of the outstanding statutory procedures, the sections between Newport and St. Mellons (East Cardiff) and between Coryton and Groes (Port Talbot) should be open to traffic early in 1978. Subject to the same provisos the section between Castleton and Coryton could be open in 1979.
House adjourned at twenty-three minutes before ten o'clock.