§ 25. Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to improve road links between north-east England and Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Department has a number of schemes in the current road programme which will improve links between north-east England and Scotland.
On the A1 north of Morpeth there are dual carriageway proposals at Brownleside and Marshall Meadows to the Scottish border.
Improvements to the A66 and A69 which link with the west coast routes to Scotland are also planned. These are at Temple Sowerby, Stainburn to Great Clifton and Stainmore to Banksgate on the A66 and the Haltwhistle on the A69.
Work on a dualling scheme between Bowes and the Durham/Cumbria boundary on the A66 is due to be completed by autumn 1992 and the A69 Brampton bypass was opened on 18 April 1991.
The preferred route for the extension of M6 Carlisle to near the border with Scotland was announced on 13 June 1991. Together with proposals by the Scottish Office, it will complete a motorway link to Glasgow.
All of these schemes have made, or will make a significant contribution to improving road links between the north-east and Scotland.