HC Deb 18 July 1978 vol 954 cc155-6W
Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in the light of the loss of numerous lives in the Costa Blanca chemical road tanker disaster, he will forthwith initiate a census of road tankers carrying volatile chemicals through residential areas to and from Shell Petrochemicals at Carrington; and if he will urgently reconsider the decision to defer the construction of the Carrington Spur road to the M62 which would re-route this traffic.

Mr. Horam

The Health and Safety Executive is already conducting a nationwide study into the vulnerability of road tankers in accidents. The Greater Manchester council will no doubt consider whether in the light of the information available from Shell Petrochemicals a census is needed at Carrington.

The Carrington road spur is a principal road proposal to connect the road directly to the M63 motorway. Consequently I have not been involved in any decision about the priority or timing of this scheme, which the council will, I am sure, examine before it submits its transport policies and programme for 1979–80.