§ 104. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to give an assurance that the motorway schemes proposed under the present programme will be carried out as quickly as originally intended; and, in particular, that the actual construction of the motorway between St. Albans and Ashby St. Ledgers will be started within two years.
§ Mr. WatkinsonAs I said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham Cooke) on 8th February. I am reconsidering priorities, but I cannot say at present whether, as a result, there will be any changes in the motorway schemes. The preparatory work including the statutory procedures is proceeding.
§ 109. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation by how much the roads programme is to be reduced for 1956–57; the total estimated expenditure during that year and the total new commitments to be entered into; and how these compare with the announced programme.
§ Mr. WatkinsonAs I said on 8th February in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham50W Cooke) I am reconsidering priorities to secure better traffic flow particularly at the approaches to large towns. This I think will be a better use of road resources in present circumstances. Accordingly, a few schemes which it was previously intended to authorise in 1956–57 will be deferred and the amount to be spent during that year will be reduced by about £¼ million.