§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he now expects work to proceed on the Thornton bypass road in Fife; what are the reasons for the further delay in commencing this scheme; and what is the estimated increase in cost likely to be;
(2) if he will reconsider the decision to delay the construction of the Thornton bypass road in Fife.
§ Mr. McElhoneIt is intended that work should start on this scheme as soon as possible. It cannot now be started this160W year because further work is required on the engineering design particularly of the bridges and the stabilisation of abandoned mine workings. No increase in cost is expected.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the initial estimate of the cost of the Thornton bypass road scheme; what is the compete figure; and what estimate has been made of the cost when the road is actually built.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe cost of the scheme as at present designed is estimated at £9 million at November 1976 prices. The estimate has not substantially altered since my Department took responsibility for the scheme. My right hon. Friend expects the cost to be reduced as a result of the design adjustments now being undertaken.