HC Deb 24 July 1957 vol 574 cc412-3
36. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, what grant he has decided to make to the West Riding County Council towards the reconstruction of the Methley Bridge.

Mr. Nugent

I regret that my right hon. Friend cannot make a grant towards this scheme at present.

Mr. Roberts

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this bridge is one of the most dangerous bridges in the north of England and that, when heavy traffic is going over it, it is impossible for pedestrians to use it? Is the hon. Gentleman conversant with the structure of this bridge and the magnitude of traffic which it has to take during the working week?

Mr. Nugent

Yes, I know all the details of this bridge, and I have had considerable correspondence with the hon. Member for Pontefract (Mr. Sylvester)about it. Apart from the necessity for it to take its place amongst the national priorities for road improvements, the West Riding County Council, which is the highway authority responsible, does not give it a high priority. It is necessary for the hon. Member to persuade not only myself, but also the county council, about its necessity.

Mr. Roberts

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the county council is prepared to give high priority providing the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation will make a grant?

Mr. Nugent

If the County Council will communicate with me on those lines, I shall be prepared to look at the matter again.

Dame Irene Ward

Is my lion. Friend aware that sometimes when county councils give top priority, the Ministry sits on the bridge, and that certainly happened in my constituency in connection with the Marden Bridge at Whitley Bay? I am delighted to know that if the county council gives priority we may look forward to a new bridge very shortly.

Mr. Nugent

That is not quite the position. That is the first hurdle to cross. We then have to assess where it comes in the national priorities.