HC Deb 23 February 1965 vol 707 cc95-6W
Sir J. Eden

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied that the construction of a major six-lane trunk road bringing increasing traffic into the heart of Bournemouth will not exacerbate the congestion in the town centre; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tom Fraser

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the proposed relief road for Holdenhurst Road to which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has recently given his planning approval.

I am satisfied in principle that such a road is necessary as part of an improved road network for the relief of traffic problems in Bournemouth.

This will be a classified road scheme. Its design will be the responsibility of the County Borough Council as highway authority. Before paying grant on any such project I shall require to be satisfied about its capacity and other design details.

Sir J. Eden

asked the Minister of Transport when the Matcham's Lane

Tyne Dartford Mersey (existing tunnel)
Amount of Government grant to wards cost of construction. £3m. £2.625m. £2.5m.
Proportion of grant to the total cost. about 24% about 23% about 33%
Estimated annual revenue which will accrue to Exchequer from the charging of tolls. Balance of revenue after certain prior charges are met will be applied to servicing of Government loans (£6.45m. for Tyne and £8.175m. for Dartford). Realistic estimates of annual payments to Exchequer for Tyne tunnel cannot be made until there is some experience of operation of tunnel and toll rates are fixed. The payment to Exchequer for first year of operation of Dartford tunnel is estimated to be just over £500,000. It is expected to rise in following few years to something like £625,000 a year. None. There was no Government loan.
Is there any provision for cesser of tolls? Yes Yes Yes

extension to the A.31 will be completed; what are the estimates of the traffic that will use it; what are the figures forecast for traffic growth into and out of Bournemouth town centre which caused him to approve the construction of a six-lane radial relief road; and what recommendations he has made concerning the junction of the proposed new road and the inner relief road now under construction.

Mr. Tom Fraser

The County Council and the County Borough Council as the responsible highway authorities for the Matcham's Lane scheme hope to have it ready for use, by an estimated 14,000 vehicles per day, during 1968.

I have not approved the construction of a six-lane relief road for Holdenhurst Road. The County Borough Council have not yet put to me detailed proposals for this scheme, or for its junction with the inner relief road.