§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to confine expenditure on new roads to the construction of new bypasses for local traffic, and on the maintenance of existing roads.
§ Mr. WattsExpenditure on trunk roads is targeted carefully on maintaining and upgrading the existing network. Urgently needed bypasses for towns and villages are a priority and form about a quarter of the programme. We also encourage local authorities through their investment programmes to provide relief for communities on the more important local roads.
§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been undertaken for or by his Department on the generation of additional traffic by the construction of new roads.
§ Mr. WattsThe Department commissioned its standing advisory committee on trunk road assessment to report on that issue. The report together with the Department's formal response, will be published in due cause.
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§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to promote the use of natural gas-powered vehicles in urban areas.
§ Mr. NorrisI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) to my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 21 March,Official Report, column 9.