§ 24. Mr. Gregoryasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of bypass roads have been constructed since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleySince 1 April 1979, the Department has constructed 56 trunk road bypasses and relief roads totalling 205 miles. Another 162 such schemes are in the trunk road forward programme which will amount to a further 600 miles. I do not have the corresponding figures for bypasses and relief roads constructed on those roads for which local highway authorities are responsible.
§ 30. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the appointment of an officer to deal with social and industrial consequences for bypassed communities of the construction of bypasses.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNo. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment that traders are able, before a new road opens, to apply to their local planning authority for consent to erect advertisements alongside that road in advance of the actual road opening. The local planning authority is required to determine such applications within two months of receipt. Any appeal to my right hon. Friend against the refusal of a local planning authority to grant a consent or failure to give a decision within the specified period is dealt with expeditiously.