§ 61. Colonel Ropnerasked the Minister of Transport whether he can now make any statement with regard to the provision of a toll-free bridge at Selby on the site of the existing bridge; and whether he can say if any decision has been made with regard to the projected route of the trunk road?
§ Mr. BurginI have notified the county councils of the East and West Ridings of Yorkshire of my intention to make an Order under Section 1 (3) of the Trunk Roads Act, declaring a new route to the south of Selby to be a trunk road. This new route is to cross the River Ouse a mile lower down than the route which was the subject of the recent inquiry, and when open for traffic will supersede that part of the present trunk road which passes over the toll bridge. I have also informed the councils that provided they will make a contribution under Sub-section (8) of Section 6 of the Trunk Roads Act at the rate of 40 per cent. of the cost, I shall be prepared, should the Order be made, to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of the toll bridge and the abolition of the tolls thereon; and on the same terms to construct a new toll-free bridge on the present site.