§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Transport (1) in what years he has phased the better road system between Hull and the West Riding, the Humber Bridge, and all other major road developments for the Hull area;
(2) what road and other works he will approve in the Hull area, and at what cost, in order to reduce unemployment in the city this winter.
§ Mr. MarplesI understand that work on the scheme to improve Holderness Road will continue through the winter. In order to help with unemployment my predecessor made grants totalling £243,000 to the Kingston-upon-Hull Corporation towards the total cost of £324,000 of this scheme.
As far as trunk roads are concerned, work has recently been started on the construction of Ferriby By-pass on A.63 between Hull and Howden. Several other major schemes are in preparation or are being planned on this road and on A.614 between Howden and Thorne, but I cannot yet say when it will be possible to start constructional work on them. In addition, as announced by my predecessor on 29th July last, we shall be putting in hand, as soon as preparatory work can be completed, some supplementary works on the Leeds Ring Road and on widening A.63 between the Ring Road and the Great North Road; these too will help to improve communications between Hull and the West Riding. Other improvements will follow as soon as they can be fitted into the programme.
The Hull Corporation are re-constructing Drypool Bridge with the assistance of Government grants. They have also been invited to prepare plans to replace the Hessle Road level crossing by a bridge, and I hope it will be possible to consider this scheme for a grant within the next two years.
The Humber Bridge is a local authority project which does not appear in my present road programme.