HC Deb 17 April 1989 vol 151 cc17-8W
Mr. John Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now, in view of the worsening of congestion along Baglan road, Port Talbot, accelerate the start of the work on the Baglan-Lonlas part of the M4.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The Earlswood-Lonlas section of the motorway is planned to start in January 1990. Advancing the Baglan-Earlswood contracts would he at the expense of other schemes, including those on the A55. The Baglan-Lonlas scheme is expected to be completed by mid 1994.

Work will start shortly on a scheme to relieve delays at the M4 Baglan junction. This will give greater priority to M4 westbound traffic.

Mr. John Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when work commenced on the last part of the M4 to be completed; and why there has been a delay in the start of the Baglan-Lonlas road.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Work on the Bridgend northern by-pass started in 1978. Given that the A48 already provides Baglan-Lonlas with a dual carriageway link to the M4 the decision was taken to give priority to the A55. Baglan-Lonlas will have higher priority as expenditure on the A55 starts to fall.