HC Deb 12 February 1929 vol 225 cc212-4
30 and 31. Mr. HANNON

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether his attention has recently been called to the growing intensity of the problem of the use of canal bridges in Birmingham and South Staffordshire industrial areas; if he proposes to adopt measures to remedy the inconvenience and financial loss inflicted upon traders in Birmingham and surrounding towns; and if he contemplates early legislation in relation to this matter;

(2) whether he has received reports from the district in which the Birmingham Canal Navigations Company operate of serious injury to canal bridges from fast and heavy motor traffic; and if, seeing that this canal company has suffered damage involving considerable expenditure and that the company has notified him that it cannot undergo risk of further damage in the absence of any steps being taken by the Ministry or local authorities, he will say what action he proposes to take to prevent dislocation of local traffic and safeguard the interests of the canal company?

Colonel ASHLEY

I am well aware of the difficulties created by the existence of weak bridges on roads in the area to which my hon. Friend refers and elsewhere. A Government Bill which, if passed, will, I hope, go a long way towards providing a solution of this pressing problem, was introduced in another place on Wednesday last.

Mr. HANNON

Can any financial assitance be given, under the provisions of the Bill to which the right hon. Gentleman refers, to enable local authorities or the owners to carry out schemes?

Colonel ASHLEY

No doubt if and when the Bill becomes law, it will be possible for local authorities to apply to me for a grant, when each case will be considered on its merits.

Colonel WOODCOCK

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in South Staffordshire nearly every town has these small bridges, most of them on the main roads, and that there is great difficulty at present in carrying on the traffic?

Colonel ASHLEY

That is why we brought in the Bill.

Mr. R. MORRISON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us some further information as to what he means by "if and when the Bill passes"?

Colonel ASHLEY

If the Bill passes both Houses of Parliament.