§ 90. Colonel Sir CHARLES SEELYasked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that in January last a portion of the county main road between Nottingham and Long Eaton was closed owing to a shell-filling factory being erected on each side thereof; that since that date the whole of the traffic on that road has been having to use a narrow bridle road across fields and several times each day has been held up for periods varying from twenty to forty minutes at a level crossing on a new railway siding constructed into the works; that in May last it was agreed by the Ministry of Munitions that a bridge should be erected over the railway to the satisfaction of the Notts County Council; that the foundations of the new bridge have been condemned by the county sur- 846 veyor, and the county council have intimated that they will decline to accept the new bridge as at present being constructed, and that if the bridge is completed on the foundations referred to it will result in a waste of public money to the extent of £6,000 to £7,000; that the general public are still being inconvenienced, and that many complaints are made of the delay in providing them with a proper road; and, seeing that other work in connection with the erection of this bridge has been done since it was intimated to the Ministry of Munitions that it was unsatisfactory, will he say whether the bridge will be erected to the satisfaction of the county council and whether the work will be expedited?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)My right hon. Friend is aware that some inconvenience has been caused by delay in the construction of the bridge referred to. There has been a scarcity of labour, and the urgent construction work on the factory has had first claim on that available. Instructions have been issued that the work on the bridge should be pushed on, and that it should be carried out to the satisfaction of the county council.
§ Colonel Sir C. SEELYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are grave doubts as to the foundations of the bridge and will ho guarantee that it is made secure?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe manager of the factory who is responsible for the work there would be quite willing that an examination should be made by an independent engineer.