§ Mr. Kelleyasked the Minister of Transport what consideration was given to the construction of a road tunnel through the Pennines, before it was decided to proceed with the Lancashire and Yorkshire motorway, including the use of existing tunnels; and why such a project was not proceeded with.
§ Mr. GalbraithDuring the planning of the Lancashire-Yorkshire Motorway, a special study, involving research at home and abroad, was made into the possibility of a road tunnel through the Pennines. Existing tunnels, even if available and capable of conversion for motorway use, are not suitably located for incorporation in a route which will both serve and by-pass the main industrial centres. To be of any value to traffic a new tunnel would have to be at least 2,000 feet long, driven through strata of complex nature; it would add nearly £3 million to the cost of building the motorway and would need to be permanently maintained, lighted and ventilated at great expense. Hazards resulting from accidents, fire or electric power failure would be appreciable. As a suitable open route at an average altitude of 1,030 feet above sea level proved feasible, the enormous cost and practical difficulty of tunnelling were not considered to be justified.