§ 64. Mr. Coleasked the Minister of Transport why no classified road scheme of over £100,000 grant value has so far been considered by him for authorisation in the County of Bedfordshire for the years 1961–62, 1962–63 and 1963–64; and when he anticipates it will be possible to provide more effectively for the improvement of classified roads in this county.
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§ Mr. MarplesI have had to limit the first three-year programme to those schemes which carry the highest priority throughout the country with particular regard to the urgent need to alleviate congestion in our cities. I regret that it was not possible to include all the schemes submitted. I am at present considering the programme for 1964–65 and hope to notify highway authorities later this year.
§ Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport when he will give details about the five-year road programme upon which the Government have decided and which represents an increase above the present rate of expenditure on road improvement.
§ Mr. MarplesExpenditure in 1962–63 will be £90.5 million and will increase annually to give a total of approximately £540 million over the five years ending 1966–67.
Last July I informed the House of a substantial increase in the provision for motorways and classified roads. We now propose to expand the trunk road programme. This will enable us to increase the work on trunk roads by approximately 50 per cent. from April next.