92. Captain T. J. O'CONNORasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that on Monday, the 16th inst., at 5 p.m., there were 16 stationary tramcars and a similar number of moving omnibuses, as well as a large number of other vehicles, an Westminster Bridge, a load which constitutes a danger to the bridge, and that similar numbers of vehicles are on the bridge almost every evening; and whether he proposes to take steps to see that the bridge is not overloaded, with the same disastrous consequences as have occurred in the case of Waterloo Bridge?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have no means of verifying my hon. and gallant Friend's computations. I am informed, however, by the London County Council, who are responsible for the structure, that the state of the bridge is entirely satisfactory, and that it is quite capable of bearing the full load of vehicles.
Captain O'CONNORMay we take it that the figures which I have given as the result of my own personal observations are a reasonable load for the bridge?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe hon. and gallant Gentleman may take it that the bridge is entirely satisfactory, and can take any amount of traffic that is likely to go over it.