§ 44. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in possession of the Report of the Committee of Engineers who were appointed last year to examine the scheme of the Royal Commission for a new bridge at Charing Cross; and whether he can inform the House of the purport of such Report and as to the action the Government propose to take thereon?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)I have been asked to reply. I have now received the Report of the Committee of Engineers. It is generally to the effect that the Royal Commission's scheme for a road and railway double-decker bridge at Charing Cross would prove to be more costly than the Commission estimated. The engineers suggest, as an alternative scheme, that Charing Cross Station should be removed to the south of the river and additional terminal railway facilities provided there; that a road bridge should be constructed on the line of the present railway bridge, the approaches to commence at the Nurse Cavell Monument and be carried over the Strand. This scheme, in their opinion, would be less costly and generally more advantageous to traffic. The Government propose to confer with the Southern Railway and the London County Council immediately upon the whole matter.
§ Sir W. DAVISONMay I thank my right hon. Friend for his very satisfactory reply. I am sure we can rely on him pressing the matter forward with all urgency, in view of the delays that have occurred in the past.