A.12 Road (By-passes)

Oral Answers to Questions — Roads – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 March 1961.

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Mr. B. Harrison:

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he has now finalised the line of the Kelvedon and Feering by-pass; and when he anticipates work will start on this improvement to A.12;

(2) whether he has now finalised the line of the Stanway by-pass; and when he anticipates work will start on this improvement to A.12.

Photo of Mr John Hay Mr John Hay , Henley

The line of the Stanway by-pass was laid down many years ago, though a small amendment at the eastern end was advertised in August, 1959. In view of the growth of traffic, however, it has been thought necessary to redesign the junction to provide grade separation. When this work is completed we shall re-advertise the line of the by-pass and also publish draft side-road Orders.

The line of the Kelvedon and Feering by-pass was settled in 1939, but proposals for alterations to the side roads may need a further Order.

It is too early to forecast when work will begin.

Mr. Harrison:

While thanking my hon. Friend for his Answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that for the last thirty years people have been waiting for the line of the Stanway by-pass to be fixed and for work to start? Can he not get on with it very soon, because there was a 13-mile traffic block last summer and the present indication of the traffic is that the road will be blocked practically from London to the East Coast unless something is done quickly?

Photo of Mr John Hay Mr John Hay , Henley

We certainly recognise that the Stanway by-pass is very urgently required, and we also appreciate the heavy traffic volumes. That is why we are now re-designing the junction to provide grade separation. It is only in comparatively recent years that we have had sufficiently large sums of money available to carry out these highway schemes.

Photo of Mr Julian Ridsdale Mr Julian Ridsdale , Harwich

Can my hon. Friend get our right hon. Friend to pay a personal visit one week-end in July or August to this road, for he might then understand the desperation we feel in East Anglia about money being spent on the road as early as possible? If necessary, we are quite prepared to have a toll road to provide the money to make it possible.

Photo of Mr John Hay Mr John Hay , Henley

If my right hon. Friend accepted that invitation, perhaps someone would complain that he was not in Washington.