70. Mr. L. SMITH(for Mr. POTTS) asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to secure The strengthening of canal bridges upon main roads and highways, necessitated by the present transport traffic; is he aware that certain canal bridges are closed to heavy road traffic as dangerous; and, seeing that canal companies are only obliged to keep bridges up to their original standard for carrying vehicles having a registered weight of 5 tons or less, will he, failing improvement, introduce legislation embodying powers to compel canal companies to reconstruct bridges equal to up-to-date requirements?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am aware of the serious inconvenience caused by the 1858 restrictions to traffic due to the weakness of many bridges over canals, and assistance is being rendered from the Road Fund towards the reconstruction and strengthening of a number of these bridges on important roads. I am afraid that legislation on the lines indicated in the last part of the question is impossible.
§ Mr. B. SMITHWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to circularise municipal authorities as to the strength of the bridges as against the artistic design, having regard to the Circular already issued?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI will consider that.