HC Deb 21 May 1980 vol 985 cc246-7W
36. Mr. Straw

asked the Minister of Transport what considerations led him to exclude the Whitebirk, Blackburn to M6-M61 section of the M65 from his road programme; whether there has been any revision since July 1979 of the estimated traffic flow along this route: and if so, what.

Mr. Fowler

I took into account the cost of this scheme, the traffic it would serve, the possibility of improving the existing roads north of Blackburn more cheaply and the bypasses which could be provided elsewhere with the saving. There have not been any significant changes in the traffic forecasts for this scheme since July 1979.