§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the potentially severe problems in restructuring the Deeside economy consequent upon the proposed cessation of steelmaking at British Steel Corporation, Shotton, he will consider linking the Wirral motorway system and the A55 by a high standard road including the consideration of a river road on the banks of the River Dee from the 345W Queensferry area to the Flint area, with an assessment of the worth or otherwise of a minor and second crossing of the river in the form of an embankment or extended bridge.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe extensions of the M531—Ellesmere Port motorway—to Stoak and the M56 to Powey Lane are now under construction and, together with the A5117-A550 route will provide a high-standard link to Deeside from the national motorway network. In spite of the pressure on the reduced funds for next year, I have also decided to make the 100 per cent. grant available for the further extension of the M531 to Hoole as soon as Cheshire county council can construct it. This will connect, the Wirral motorway system with the A55 via the Chester southerly bypass. The road network between Queensferry and Flint is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, and for Clwyd county council.