§ 18. Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what stage has now been reached in the planning and execution of the new motorway to the north of England.
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§ Mr. WatkinsonObjectors are being interviewed as quickly as possible and I hope in the next few months to make the scheme establishing the line of the road between St. Albans By-pass and Watford Gap in Northamptonshire together with the spur to Dunchurch. I shall then publish the draft Orders under Section 3 of the Special Roads Act, dealing with alterations to side roads, public footpaths, etc.
The consulting engineers have completed the prototype bridge designs and these have been approved by the Royal Fine Art Commission. Substantial progress has also been made with the preparation of detailed drawings, bills of quantities, and land reference plans for this section. My intention is to proceed with this portion of the road at the earliest possible moment.
On the section north of Watford Gap to Doncaster, the preliminary survey has been completed and the necessary drawings required for the draft Scheme are being prepared. I have to discuss with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the effect on agricultural interests of the proposed line. I hope these discussions will be completed in time for me to publish a draft Scheme before the end of this year.