HC Deb 21 October 1985 vol 84 cc28-9W
Sir Peter Emery

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for extending the dual cariageway for the M3–A303 from Thruxton to Exeter and on what dates these plans are to be finalised.

Mrs. Chalker

Our report "National Roads England 1985", published last June, gives details of the proposed improvements on the A303-A30 between Thruxton and Exeter, together with their approximate start dates. The details are as follows:

Approximate Start Date
A303 Thruxton-Amesbury Spring 1986
A303 Furze hedge improvement Spring 1986
A303 Mere-Wincanton April 1987–March 1989
A303 Sparkford bypass April 1987–March 1989
A303 Ilchester-South Petherton April 1987–March 1989
A303 South Petherton-Broadway (Ilminster bypass) Summer 1986

Approximate Start Date
A303-A30 Marsh-Honiton improvement April 1989 onwards
A30 Honiton-Exeter improvement April 1989 onwards

Dual carriageways will be provided wherever this is justified by present and predicted traffic usage.

Studies are in hand to determine what needs to be done to the remaining sections of the route between these planned improvements.