§ MR. FIRTHasked the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, Whether he is aware that the heavy traffic over Putney Bridge is shaking it rapidly to pieces; whether there is any ground for the opinion recently given by architects and other competent persons to the last Vestry meeting of Putney, that the old bridge will not last till the new one is ready; and, what the Board propose to do in order to avert impending accident?
SIR JAMES M`GAREL-HOGGI think the hon. Member rather overrates the effect of heavy traffic on Putney Bridge. The Bridge has for many years been maintained by the removal, from time to time, of decayed timbers and the substitution of sound ones in their place; and this process of renewal is still going on, under careful supervision, so that the Bridge will be made to last until the new Bridge is completed.