§ Baroness Stedmanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will give assurances that the eastern section of the A.1-M.1 link between Huntingdon and Bythorn will not be delayed because of problems at the western end of the link near Naseby.
§ The Earl of AvonThe M.1-A.1 link road is a very large scheme and the selection of the most suitable route at Naseby is only one of a number of difficult issues which Her Majesty's Government have had to consider. An announcement about these issues will be674WA made very shortly, and this will be followed by publication later this year of the draft orders for the scheme, including the eastern section.
§ Baroness Stedmanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the starting date for the eastern end of the A.1-M.1 link to join up with the A.45 improvement to Northampton.
§ The Earl of AvonBecause of the urgent need to help Corby, and the fact that there is no satisfactory road from the M.1 to Kettering, we are giving priority to construction of the western section of the link road and work on this section should start in 1985. We are giving the same priority to the Thrapston bypass, but from this point eastwards the A.604 carries the existing traffic reasonably well and should be able to cope with any additional traffic from the improved A.45. That is why work on the eastern section is programmed to begin in 1986, for completion soon after the western section as traffic on the A.604 builds up.