§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he is giving to a greater emphasis on road improvement schemes in urban areas; and if he will make a statement about the implication of such schemes for the north-west.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyGreat emphasis is already given to road improvement schemes in urban areas. They stimulate the development of new industries and create new job opportunities. In urban areas in the north west, national road schemes worth about £400 million have been recently completed or are under construction or planned, and about £125 million of local road schemes will benefit from transport supplementary grant. This investment in the north-west's highways infrastructure is a visible sign of the Government's commitment to the regeneration of the region's urban heartlands.