§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest position with regard to the M65 link to the M6/M61; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyInvestigations by consulting engineers are well in hand. We expect to announce the precise route for the link road in the summer and to publish statutory orders early next year.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received seeking a link from the M65 eastwards to the M1/M62; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe have received suggestions, principally from Lancashire county council, that a new link might be needed, but we have no proposals. The existing A6068 route eastwards from M65 is a lightly trafficked local authority road on the primary route network.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any proposals to upgrade the link between the M66 and M65 to motorway standards.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNo. The existing high standard dual carriageway link, completed in 1985, was designed to cater for existing and future traffic requirements.