§ 27. Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many toll bridges in England, Wales and Scotland are still in existence; and what steps he contemplates in his roads programme to take over these bridges or supersede them by the provision of new road bridges.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterFifty-seven, Sir, including footbridges. At present, I am concentrating the resources available on construction of roads and bridges.
§ Mr. BellengerDoes that answer mean that the Minister is going to supersede some of these toll bridges in his roads programme? As the Minister is probably aware, in my constituency we have one problem which is causing not only irritation and inconvenience, but considerable expense to my constituents.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am aware of the case about which the right hon. Gentleman is concerned but, as I told him on an earlier occasion, at the moment I am giving greater priority to actual construction works rather than the redemption of tolls.
§ Sir L. RopnerDoes my right hon. Friend recall the promise given by his predecessor that Selby toll bridge was on the top of the list of bridges to be freed?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am not sure whether that is a precise paraphrase of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary, but I am aware of my hon. and gallant Friend's proper concern about this matter.