§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will keep the name M74 when the A74 construction to motorway standard is completed; and if he will make a statement. [32613]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 4 July 1995]: My right hon. Friend announced in November 1991 that, on completion of the A74 upgrade, the new motorway will be designated as the M6. However, until the whole route is upgraded, the upgraded section of the route will retain the "74".
My right hon. Friend recently announced that we intend to seek tenders later this year for the last section in Scotland to be upgraded between Cleuchbrae and Paddy's Rickle on a design, build, finance and operate basis and this should see the completion of the upgrade by the end of the century.