Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Excerpts
Thursday 30th November 2017

(6 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Hayes Portrait Mr Hayes
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As the hon. Gentleman implies, we do have such a strategy. He is also right that cyclists need the same kind of attention that I mentioned in my previous answer. They can be put into hazardous circumstances by a range of different obstacles that they encounter as they go about their business. The Government are strongly committed to cycling, as I think he knows, but he is right that we must look closely at the hazards cyclists face, and that will be included in the strategy.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Portrait Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con)
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14. What progress has been made on the A417 Air Balloon roundabout missing link upgrade.

Lord Grayling Portrait The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)
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My hon. Friend knows well the interest I have taken in this project. Highways England is currently conducting a final review of the route options for the A417 missing link. It is on track to launch a public consultation early in the new year.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Portrait Geoffrey Clifton-Brown
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My right hon. Friend knows that the south-west is a low-growth area. This is a highly important strategic national road scheme linking the south-west with the midlands and the Thames corridor. Does he agree that we need to get on and build this scheme as soon as possible?

Lord Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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It is not just about that; we also know that this is a highly dangerous piece of road, where, tragically, there has been a further accident with loss of life in the past few weeks. So it is not just about creating the right economic links; it is also about creating a safer road network. For both those reasons I have been very clear with Highways England that I want to get on with this project.