§ 52. Mr. Corfieldasked the Minister of Transport why, in view of the fact that the North of Almondsbury—Tormarton, 45W East of Almondsbury—Filton Bypass and Hambrook Spur Special Road Scheme, is the subject of a public inquiry to be held in the latter half of August, 1962, he has already published the North of Almondsbury—Tormarton, East of Almondsbury—Filton Bypass and Hambrook Spur Special Roads (Improvements) Order which provides for the closure, diversion, etc., of footpaths and other highways which will only be necessary on the assumption that the above scheme is confirmed without material amendment; and why this Order requires the lodging of objections to the closure of any of the highways concerned before the public inquiry is held and therefore before the recommendations of the inspector appointed to hold that inquiry are known.
§ Mr. MarplesAs I explained in my Answer to the hon. Member on 3rd May, I am doing this so that objectors to the draft Scheme may have the fullest available information about the effects of my proposals before they appear at the public inquiry. If I waited for each stage of the statutory procedure to be completed before I started the next stage, I would add further delays to the completion of this project, which is essential for the proper use of the Severn Bridge. Section 284 of the Highways Act, 1959, provides for this concurrent procedure.