Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 July 1989.
Michael Lord
, Suffolk Central
12:00,
10 July 1989
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make a final decision on the dualling of the A140 between Scole and the A45; and if he will make a statement.
Peter Bottomley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We shall be considering the case for some limited further additions to the roads programme when we publish a full roads report later in the year.
Michael Lord
, Suffolk Central
My hon. Friend will be aware of the great increase in the volume of traffic on this road and of its appalling accident record. He will also be aware that we have had an Adjournment Debate on this. He kindly visited the road early this year to see the problems that we have. He will also know that a little while ago there was a huge public outcry when it was announced that the road north of Scole would be dualled but that the road south in Suffolk would not. I appreciate that today is not the day for my hon. Friend to make an announcement but may we hope that when announcements are made later in the year, dualling of the A140 in Suffolk will be included in the programme?
Peter Bottomley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Without making any commitment, I can say that I have stood by the side of that road with my hon. Friend and it is dangerous. I remember that there was a crash when drivers were distracted by a television crew. The problem is that it is an old Roman road and as it is straight further improvement will not produce the usual gains. We have said that we shall review it further and perhaps make an announcement later this year.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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