§ 36. Mr. Peter Thorneycroftasked the Minister of Transport the total expenditure on the construction of the new bridge at Llantarnam, Monmouthshire; and whether the width of the new carriageway for vehicular traffic, excluding kerbs, is wider or narrower and, if so, by how much than the previous bridge.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)The total cost of this bridge, including the approach roads, is about £14,900. The carriageway of the new bridge, which is a temporary structure, is 3 ft. 9 in. narrower than that of the old one, which had no proper footpath. There is a 5 ft. footpath cantilevered outside the new bridge.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has now so narrowed this bridge that it is virtually impossible for two buses to pass? Is not £14,000 a lot of money to spend on narrowing a bridge?
§ Mr. BarnesThis bridge is of the standard cantilevered Callender type, and because of this the carriageway cannot be varied. It is a temporary bridge as the hon. Gentleman knows.
§ Mr. Harmar NichollsHas the Minister asked for the views of the local Road Safety Committee as to how this bridge will affect road safety in that area?