§ Mr. Garrettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce the new programme for major highway construction in Northumberland and Durham.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineAbout £24 million worth of trunk road schemes, and about £42 million worth of principal road schemes, are at present in preparation in Northumberland and Durham. These are in addition to the £11 million worth of trunk road schemes and £35 million of principal road schemes already in the firm programme.
Individual schemes will be transferred to the firm programme when their costs and benefits can be accurately assessed and their priority determined.
§ Mr. Garrettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the reasons for the delay on major roads schemes in Northumberland and Durham that were due to start in the period 1969–70.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineIn respect of major road schemes under construction, major re-design on one and statutory approval of two level crossings on another, were the only occasions of delay known to my Department. Forecast starts are sometimes deferred in order to complete statutory procedures. If the hon. Member has any particular scheme in mind I will write to him about it.