§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)asked the First Commissioner of Works, If he can inform the House whether Mr. Page, the engineer for the construction of Westminster Bridge, gave evidence before a Committee of the House of Commons to the effect that Westminster Bridge was not strong enough to bear the weight of a tramway; and, whether that related to the crown of the bridge or its foundations?
THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)I have not been able to find any statement of Mr. Page, the engineer, in his evidence before a Committee of the House to the effect that Westminster Bridge was not strong enough to bear the weight of a tramway; but, on the contrary, I am informed that on March 3, 1871, Mr. Page reported that the bridge might safely be loaded with 17,000 tons, and that a load of 12 tons might be carried over the bridge on two wheels; and a tramcar of four wheels, fully loaded, would certainly not reach the limits thus assigned (12 tons on two wheels). No doubt had ever been entertained by the advisers of the Office of Works as to Westminster Bridge being able to bear the weight of tramway traffic.