HC Deb 01 February 1956 vol 548 cc896-8
41. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what inquiries he has made regarding the siting of a new bridge crossing the Tyne.

Mr. Molson

The Tyne Tunnel Joint Committee has informed us that the best site would be between Jarrow and Howden on approximately the same line as that selected for the proposed tunnel.

Mr. Willey

Will the Minister look at this matter again, because there is a considerable difference between the bridge and the tunnel? The best site for the bridge is not necessarily the best site for the tunnel, and there are various interests in the North-East which think that the location of the bridge should be different from that of the tunnel.

Mr. Molson

I fully recognise that a tunnel is a different thing from a bridge. It does not necessarily follow, therefore, that the most suitable place for a bridge would be the most suitable place for a tunnel. On this occasion, however, it is the view of the joint committee of the two county councils that that is the case.

Mr. Ede

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a survey was made— and would have been acted on some years ago—for a bridge which would have connected the two county boroughs of South Shields and Tynemouth, which is a much more suitable place?

Mr. Molson

No doubt the right hon. Gentleman will make representations to the county councils on that subject. We, however, are dealing with the joint committee, and the two county councils are of the opinion that this is the most suitable place for the bridge, if it is to be constructed.

Mr. Ede

But the point to which I am alluding is not within the jurisdiction of the county councils.

Mr. Molson

In that case I can only suppose that that is a slightly different project from that which we are discussing.

Mr. Short

Would the hon. Gentleman hazard a guess as to what would happen if the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) were put into closer communication with the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward)?

Mr. Molson

I should always be happy to act as a liaison between hon. Members.