§ Mr. AlisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the draft orders under the Highways Act 1980 for the Highways Agency's proposals for improving the A64 at its junction with Top lane, Copmanthorpe. [33888]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Michael Alison, dated 21 June 1996:
As you know, the Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when he will publish the draft Orders under the Highways Act 1980 for the Highways Agency's proposals for improving the A64 at its junction with Top Lane, Copmanthorpe.You are aware that we held a public exhibition into the proposals in December 1995 and that we intended to publish draft Orders later this year. However, the Highways Agency Business Plan for 1996/97 has been agreed with Ministers and unfortunately we have no programme of local safety or small improvement schemes this year. The position for 1997/98 and beyond is of course unclear, and I am afraid that I cannot give any assurances about precisely when funds may be available to progress this scheme.I know that you and your constituents will be very disappointed with this news, but our programmes have to reflect the current constraints on public expenditure.