§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Transport on which trunk road schemes listed as requiring money in the Supply Estimates 1979–80 or in the list presented in the parliamentary answer, Official Report, 20June, column 561, contracts 249W have not been let; which of these schemes are subject to delay because of road expenditure cuts due to be implemented in 1980–81; and what other factors are causing delays in the stated trunk road programme.
§ Mr. FowlerContracts for the following schemes have not yet been let but it is expected that they will be awarded before the end of 1979–80:
M63 Stockport east-west bypass, stages 4 and 5.
A13 Newham A13/A117 junction.
A31 Wimborne bypass.
A34 Kingworthy-Bullington (part of A34 Popham-Bullington-Kingsworthy).
A120 Colchester Eastern and Elmstead Market bypass.
A590 Ulverston diversion.
Contracts for the following schemes are unlikely to be awarded during 1979–80:
M1 Widening.
M3 Compton-Bassett widening.
A6 Elstow bypass.
A17 Leadenham bypass.
A17 Heckington bypass,
A17 Swineshead bypass.
A31 Bere Regis bypass.
A40 Northleach bypass.
A40 Hillingdon West End road.
A40 Gloucester N bypass main works.
A49 Brimfield bypass.
A66 Bowes bypass.
A66 Troutbeck diversion.
A303 Furze Hedge improvement.
A423 Dorchester bypass.
It is too early to say which, if any, will be subject to delay because of expenditure cuts; the two slightly delayed while the position was reviewed are in the first list above.
The major reason for delays is the time needed to complete the statutory procedures, but two—M1 widening and North-leach bypass—have been affected by action in the courts.