§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many towns in the south-east of the size of population of about 80,000 remain to be bypassed.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 16 July 1990]: The towns in the south-east of the size of population of about 80,000 outside the M25 ring, on trunk roads, that do not have a bypass are:
Town Progress Bedford/Kempston At planning stage Norwich Construction of the southern bypass has recently started Dunstable At planning stage Hastings Bexhill At planning stage Brighton and Hove Bypass under construction Worthing At planning stage *St. Albans *Milton Keynes *Luton *Southend Although through traffic passes through the towns marked with an asterisk, the Department has no proposals for a bypass.
Road schemes are not planned around the size of populations, but to assist economic growth by reducing transport costs, to improve the environment by removing through traffic from unsuitable roads in towns and villages and to enhance road safety.