§ Mr. HindTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the A650 Airedale route strategy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Airedale strategy will eventually provide a high standard dual carriageway road from Skipton in the north-west, via Bradford, to the M62. Good528W progress has been made on a number of sections. I am today announcing preferred routes for the Shipley eastern bypass, which would link to a tunnel on section 4, and for the Hard Ings road improvement, which improves a section of single carriageway in Keighley to dual two-lane carriageway standard.
We are also pressing ahead with the preparation of main works for section 3 of the route, with advance works at Park road in Bingley currently out to tender and expected to start soon. We are well advanced in the preparation for inviting consultants to bid for the commission to carry out the preliminary design work for the tunnel option for section 4 and will invite bids soon.