HC Deb 01 February 1938 vol 331 cc17-8
41. Mr. Denville

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the contribution from the Road Fund to the cost of building the new Waterloo Bridge, he will now consider making a substantial grant to the construction of an up-to-date bridge over the River Tyne with the object of by-passing Newcastle-on-Tyne?

Mr. Burgin

The local authorities concerned were invited some months ago to examine the question of the construction of a by-pass road on the west side of Newcastle and of the provision of a new bridge in the neighbourhood of Scots-wood. I am awaiting their reply. If a suitable scheme is agreed upon I shall be ready to consider making the appropriate grant from the Road Fund.

Mr. Gallacher

Would that apply also to the Forth Road Bridge?

Mr. Burgin

That is quite a different question.

Mr. Ede

Are we to understand that the Minister has given up trying to find an eastern by-pass of Newcastle?

Mr. Burgin

I think that that is quite another matter. The particular by-pass which is under examination is on the west side.

Miss Wilkinson

Before the right hon. Gentleman gives any further grants for the west of Newcastle, which is already well supplied with bridges, will he consider the east where there are no bridges between Newcastle and the sea?

Mr. Burgin

Certainly.