§ 98. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that it is now 30 years since major improvements in the important east-west traffic route in North Staffordshire between Stoke-on-Trent and Uttoxeter, the A.50, were approved, and that a recent seven day count indicated that the average daily traffic figure at Draycott in January, 1964 of 5,519 vehicles had risen to 6,400, an increase of 881 vehicles in six months; and, in view of this and the fact that this traffic meets a level crossing with hand-operated gates, where between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. 70 trains a day use the line, if he will now take immediate action to improve the A.50, as each delay in the implementation of this work means an increased burden of costs.
§ Mr. MarplesI am aware of traffic conditions on the A.50 generally, but they are not such as to justify my diverting resources required for other urgent works.