asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the present near-stagnation of traffic at peak periods at the junction of North Road and Western Avenue. Cardiff; and why the proposed Eastern Avenue of the inner bypass is not included in his programme for construction in the next five years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will reconsider his decision not to include the Eastern Avenue of the Cardiff inner bypass in his construction programme for the next five years.

We are aware that there are delays at this junction at peak periods. But the inner bypass is a very costly project, which we were unable to include in our five year programme because of the needs of even more urgent schemes, including many in Wales. We are, however, prepared to consider, in consultation with the local highway authority, Cardiff City Council, the possibility of a smaller scheme to improve traffic flow at the junction pending the main scheme.