§ 24. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Transport whether he has obtained any returns of the vehicular traffic across the new bridges recently erected over the Thames at Twickenham and Chiswick, respectively; and what was the total expenditure involved in the building of each of these bridges?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACounts will be made in connection with the general census of traffic on Class I roads and bridges in August of this year. The total expenditure involved in building Twickenham and Chiswick Bridges was £230,368 and £204,600, respectively.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that during a great part of each day there is practically no traffic whatever on either of these bridges?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe bridges will not be brought into full use until the Cromwell Road extension has been provided.
§ Sir W. DAVISONHow many years will that take?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have offered terms to the local authorities concerned, and I am waiting to hear of their acceptance or otherwise.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Chiswick Bridge is still subject to the 30 miles-an-hour speed limit?
§ 25. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any estimate from the London County Council as to the probable date when the pulling down of Waterloo Bridge will be completed, and when the new bridge to be erected in its place will be available for cross-river traffic?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIn the Debate on the London County Council (Money) Bill, which took place in the House on 30th May, 1934, the estimate of time mentioned for the completion of the new bridge was stated as being "within five years." I understand from the Council that no new circumstances have since arisen to require a variation of that estimate, and that the demolition of the bridge is expected to be completed about the middle of 1936.