asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now able to make a decision upon the construction of the Crawshawbooth bypass on the A56; and if he will give the date when the line of construction will be finalised.

Alternative routes from the northern end of the Edenfield-Rawtenstall bypass to the Calder Valley fast route, details of which were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of Local Government and Development on 17th March, are currently being investigated. In the meanwhile work on detailed plans for the Crawshaw- booth bypass has been suspended. However, minor improvements to the A56 are being considered.