§ Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Transport what has been the expenditure during the last 12 months or a similar convenient period on A.38 between Gloucester and Bristol.
§ Mr. MarplesTotal expenditure on this section of road in the financial year 1962–63 was about £298,000, of which £259,000 was for major improvements and new construction and £39,000 for maintenance and minor improvements.
§ Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Transport when the road works designed to make A.38 a three-carriage highway will be completed.
§ Mr. MarplesIt is hoped that the schemes to provide a three-lane carriageway on the section of the A.38 between Bristol and Gloucester will be completed by the spring of 1965. All but three miles will be completed by the summer of 1964.
§ Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for the further improvement of A.38 which, despite recent work, remains dangerous and unsatisfactory in planning.
§ Mr. MarplesI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the section of this road between Bristol and Gloucester. Where a three-lane carriageway has already been provided, the accident rate has been substantially reduced. I see no reason to improve the road to any higher standard since, as my hon. Friend knows, my motorway programme includes the extension of M.5 on a line roughly parallel to A.38 from Twyning to beyond Bristol. This motorway, when completed, will take most of the traffic from this section of A.38.