To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the amount of traffic that will transfer to the M65–A56 after November 1997 from the M62. [13359]

No assessment has been made of the amount of traffic that may transfer to the M65–A56 from the M62 upon completion of the M65 Blackburn southern bypass. However, completion of the M65 will result in a 10 per cent. increase in traffic on the existing M65 immediately east of Blackburn.

Is that not an absolute disgrace? Many motorists will look for an alternative means of getting to the north-east from the M6, and they may use the M65-A56 in my Constituency. Does the Minister understand the tremendous concern of people in Colne that thousands of vehicles will be dumped on their doorstep? The Government have done absolutely nothing about trunking the A56, which could offer those people some comfort. When is the Minister likely to undertake a general review of the trunk road network because at the moment the silence is deafening?

I am aware of the concerns in Colne to which the hon. Gentleman refers, not least because I had an opportunity to discuss them with local councillors when I visited the Constituency at the hon. Gentleman's invitation. I undertook that once the M65 Blackburn southern bypass was completed, we would monitor traffic flows, and that I would keep an open mind about whether a case could be made by the local highway authority for further trunking of the local road network. It is sensible for us to consider such possibilities in the light of evidence, rather than on the basis of speculation.

Is it not the case that despite the Government's £6 billion road programme, traffic in the Pendle area will be reduced by the introduction of the west coast main line, which will considerably shorten journey times between the north-west, Birmingham and London? Would not the west coast main line, which will encourage trade in the north-west, be jeopardised by a Labour Government, who have sworn not to see the programme through?

I share my hon. Friend's confidence that the substantial improvements to the rail network and rail services will help to provide a solution to the problems of congestion on our road network. My hon. Friend is right to point out the fact that Labour would rather spend taxpayers' money on renationalising Railtrack than on carrying out sensible improvements to the entire transport infrastructure.