§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the number of miles of the M4 for which 378W firm routes have now been announced and the number of miles currently the subject of public planning inquiries.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasFirm proposals have been published for approximately 42 miles of the motorway in Wales. The line of an 11-mile section has been fixed by order and public local inquiries have been held for sections covering a further 26 miles.
§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the number of miles of the M4 inside Wales planned for completion by June 1974, June 1975, and June 1976, respectively, and the estimated final completion date for the whole road.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI would refer to my reply of 11th June to the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon (Mr. John Morris). It is not possible to make meaningful estimates related to particular months since the commencement of each individual section depends on the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures.
§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the number of miles of the M4 inside Wales under construction in June 1970 and the number of miles completed in June 1973.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo motorway was under construction in Wales in June 1970. Twenty-seven miles of motorway have been completed in the Principality.
§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the number of miles of the M4 inside Wales under construction in June 1970 and the number of miles under construction in June 1973.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo part of the M4 was under construction in Wales in either June 1970 or June 1973. The Morriston Bypass section of the M4 was started and completed between these dates.
§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what delays he expects as a result of public planning inquiries to the completion dates of any parts of the M4; and what proposals he has for accelerating work on other sections of the route including the dual carriageway link to St. Clears.
379W
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe time taken in complying with statutory procedures varies according to the scale and nature of objections. It is not possible yet to assess the full effect of these procedures on the timetable for the construction of the M4, but my hon. Friend will be aware that certain public inquiries have been lengthy and that many objections have been put forward to the M4 proposals. The preparation of each stage of the route of the motorway and dual carriageway schemes westwards will proceed as quickly as practicable consistent with observance of the procedures which Parliament has laid down.