§ Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that his Department's Press notice No. 273 of 26th August, 1959, referred to steps being taken so that a draft scheme showing the line of the proposed Hendon urban motorway could be published early in 1960, why 18 months elapsed before publication; and what action he proposes to take to reduce delays in all stages of road improvement and construction schemes to ensure that progress of the road programme conforms more closely to the urgent needs of present traffic and the requirements of the increased traffic of the future.
§ Mr. MarplesThe draft scheme was published on 2nd March, 1961, a little under 12 months later than forecast. The extra time was taken up in consultations with the interested authorities. These took longer than expected partly because the addition of the Stirling Corner link to the motorway proposals led to a detailed reconsideration of the whole route by the local authorities affected.