§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average annual expenditure on all classified roads in Wales during the last three years; and what is the proposed average expenditure for 1967–68, 1968–69, and 1969–70, respectively.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesThe average for the years 1964–67 is about £10¼ million. Expenditure in 1967–68 is likely to be about £11 million.
Estimates for later years have not yet been settled.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he will add to the list of road improvement schemes now announced for Wales for the next four years.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesThe major schemes to be started by about 1970 have already been announncd and cannot be added to because of the time required for preparatory work before construction can start. I announced last week the first instalment of a pool of schemes to be put in preparation for starting in the early 1970's and I shall add to this list from time to time.
Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest estimated cost of the Eastern Avenue scheme for Cardiff; and what estimate has been made of the cost of the western extension to this project.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesEastern Avenue is expected to cost about £8 million, including £3.6 million for a three-level interchange at Gabalfa.
As announced on 14th March I am now preparing a scheme for a road improvement from west of Gabalfa to Culver-house Cross, and the cost of this has not yet been worked out.
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Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate has been made of the cost of a by-pass of Cardiff, built to motorway standards; and what estimate he has made of the cost of a bypass built as dual-carriageway.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesThe cost of a motorway from St. Mellons to near Bridgend by-passing Cardiff to the north would probably be of the order of £18 million. Built as a modern all-purpose dual-carriageway road with hard294W shoulders and limited access the cost would not be much less.
§ Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to compensate in 1968–69 for the reduction of £7,341,000 in the estimates for Welsh road expenditure in 1967–68 as compared with 1966–67.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesI cannot anticipate the size of the Welsh Road Estimate for 1968–69.