§ Mr. Peter AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received calling for a motorway link between the north east of England and the M1 motorway; and if he will make a statement. [82631]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonRepresentations have been made over many years calling for the North East to be connected by a motorway link to a national motorway network.
Most recently, as part of the Government's Road Review, a number of representations were received identifying certain points and areas for action, including the need to offset the region's peripherality by better transport links, particularly in terms of providing a motorway connecting to the south.
Due account was taken of all views expressed in pulling together the targeted programme of improvements and the series of proposed studies as set out in "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England" published in July 1998. These include a study of the non-motorway section of the Al between Bramham and Barton.