Mr. V. Adamsasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the new Cambridge arterial road is inconveniently narrow, although there is abundant space for widening purposes, 424W and that no widening work has been put in hand since the promise given last year by his predecessor in reply to a question on this matter by the hon. Member for West Leeds; and whether he will now give orders for widening work to begin on that highway?
§ Captain WallaceYes, Sir. But as this is not a trunk road I am not able to give orders for widening work to be put in hand. I understand, however, that the Middlesex County Council have now completed the 1½ miles of widening referred to in the reply given by my predecessor last July. The further section of widening referred to in that reply has had to be postponed until certain sewerage works can be completed. Accordingly, plans for widening two miles of road beyond this section have been prepared. The scheme has been approved and a grant is about to be made of 60 per cent. of the cost, estimated at £ 104,000.
The Hertfordshire County Council have found it impossible to provide for a second 27 foot carriageway within the 100 foot width proposed for the road without either omitting cycle tracks or destroying well-established trees. The council are, therefore, considering the possibilities of a wider road.