HC Deb 18 July 1962 vol 663 cc61-2W
82. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total mileage of motorways open on 1st January, 1962, and on 30th June, 1962; and how many miles in total were under construction on each of the above dates.

Mr. Marples

The total mileage of motorways open on 1st January, 1962, was 148 and this remained unchanged on 30th June, 1962. A further 42½ miles are, however, to be opened within the next three weeks. One hundred and forty-six miles of motorway were under construction on 1st January, 1962, and 147¾ on 30th June, 1962. I hope to award contracts for a further 49½ miles before the end of the year.

Sir B. Janner

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that no length of motorway has been opened for nearly a year, and that by the end of 1963 the average length of motorway opened annually since 1958 will be only 50 miles, what lengths of motorway he now proposes to authorise in the near future and what proposals he has for speeding completion of the proposed network.

Mr. Marples

I am going ahead with motorway construction as fast as statutory procedures and the availability of funds permit. A further 42½ miles of

Estimated Completion Date Estimated Total Cost (including land) £
Motorways
M.4—Chiswick-Langley (Viaduct Structure) (London-South Wales Motorway) September, 1964 … 5,065,000*
M.4—Severn Bridge (Superstructure) (London-South Wales Motorway) December, 1966 … 6,500,000
A.48 (M)—Port Talbot By-pass (First section preliminary work) December, 1962 … 352,000*
Trunk Roads
A.5—Witherley to Royal Red Gate Inn, Warwickshire Late 1962 … 129,000
A.5—Atherstone By-pass, Warwickshire: Part II: Roadworks Spring, 1964 … 511,680
A.23—Railway Bridge to Hooley Lane, Redhill, Surrey Spring, 1963 … 146,000
A.38—Whitfield to Falfield, Gloucestershire Late 1963 … 179,000
A.39—Barnstaple Bridge widening, Devon Autumn, 1963 … 282,000
A.39—Wadebridge Bridge widening, Cornwall Autumn, 1963 … 233,000
A.40—Islip Turn to Waterstock Crossroads, Oxfordshire Late 1964 … 1,101,000

motorway are to be opened to traffic within the next few weeks, making a total of 190½ miles in use and 105 miles still under construction. I hope that by the end of the year work will have started on a further 49½ miles, comprising:

miles
London-South Wales Motorway:
Chiswick-Langley Roadworks … 10½
London-Yorkshire Part II:
Crick-Markfield … 26
Preston-Lancaster … 13