§ 63. Mr. John Leeasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress made in diverting heavy long-distance traffic away from Reading as requested by the hon. Member for Reading on 23rd May, 1969.
§ Mr. MurrayMy hon. Friend is presumably referring to the diversion of the traffic through Reading on A4 and other routes. Unfortunately there are no roads to enable this to be done on a wider scale than has been done for some years. Until the section of M4 forming a diversion round Reading is complete, the traffic which will use it must pass through the town. My right hon. Friend has recently announced that contracts have been let for the construction of this section.
A comprehensive traffic management scheme was introduced in May, 1969, to 98W alleviate conditions in the town centre. This has proved successful and additions to it are under discussion to provide greater relief during next summer. The first stage of the Inner Distribution Road was completed on 4th January, 1970, although sections of it were in use prior to that date.