Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet come to a decision either to improve the existing Road A6 where it crosses Shap Fells or to construct a new road through the Lune Valley; and what consultation his Department has held with local agricultural interests to ensure that good agricultural land is not lost to food production.
§ Mr. Barnes:Surveys are at present being made to ascertain the possibilities of constructing a new road through the Lune Valley to provide a better route for through traffic which at present uses road crossing Shap Fells. Before any final decision is reached the Ministry of Town and Country Planning and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be consulted. The proposals for the necessary Order under Section 1 (2) of the Trunk Roads Act, 1946, will be published and at this stage all the interests concerned will have an opportunity of making representations.