§ Sir C. Rawsonasked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to accelerate, by the employment of more men, the completion of the widening of the main London-Brighton road which is now much overdue and causing inconvenient and long delays at the railway crossing at Crawley and at other places on the road?
§ Captain WallaceThe Crawley By-pass will probably be opened next month and traffic will then be able to avoid the railway crossing in Crawley.
A by-pass at Handcross has been started; the widening of the existing road from the southern end of this by-pass is about half finished; and another widening scheme near Bolney Common is almost completed. In addition, tenders are being invited for widening the road at Redhill.
The total estimated cost of these schemes is approximately £500,000, and I am satisfied that the amount of labour employed is adequate and that work on the schemes is proceeding with due regard to efficiency and economy.