§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he now expects the Edinburgh outer city bypass to be completed; and what is his estimate of the effect on traffic within the city.
§ Mr. AncramThis project is the responsibility of Lothian regional council. I understand that it hopes to complete work on the remaining sections of the bypass broadly within the decade.
The bypass will reduce through traffic within the northern, southern and western suburbs of the city and will provide a more direct link from proposed industrial developments in the Esk valley, east Edinburgh and Musselburgh with the west.
§ Sir Hector Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the line for the Dumfries bypass.
§ Mr. YoungerI expect to make a decision on the preferred route for the Dumfries bypass, and to publish a draft trunk road order, in the autumn.
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§ Sir Hector Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the result of the Annan bypass inquiry.
§ Mr. YoungerPart I of the report on the Annan bypass public local inquiry was circulated on 18 July and comments are due to be returned to the inquiry reporter by mid-August. Until the report is completed and the reporter's recommendations have been considered I cannot announce a decision, but hope to do so before the end of the year.