§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware that since the opening of the M6, increasing use of the A53 by motor cars and commercial vehicles has caused serious traffic congestion in Market Drayton; and if he will make a grant to the Shropshire 38W County Council for the early construction of a bypass;
(2) what estimate he made of the increase in traffic on the A53 as a result of the construction of the M6, and of the need for speedy implementation of plans to construct a Market Drayton bypass; what representations he has received on the subject; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarplesIt is unlikely that traffic difficulties in Market Drayton are substantially caused by the M.6 motorway which, in fact, relieved the town of some north/south traffic. Salop County Council, the highway authority for A.53, have not made representations or produced evidence that traffic conditions in the town have deteriorated since M.6 was built. Proposals for an interim scheme for by-passing the town have been put to me and the Market Drayton and District Road Safety Committee have asked that this scheme be carried out quickly. The earliest that the scheme can be considered for grant is the financial year 1965-66, when its claims against those of other schemes will be considered.