32. Miss Leeasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that the abandonment of the Canal Bridge, near Four Ashes, Staffordshire, is causing inconvenience and additional expense to omnibus users in the area; what would be the cost of strengthening the bridge so that it can again carry public service vehicles; and whether this cost would be more or less than the fares charged in five years for the additional mileage of 22,954 miles per year made necessary by the changed route.
§ Mr. NugentThe bridge has not been abandoned. Its owner, the British Transport Commission has come to the conclusion that it is unsafe for vehicles of over 5 tons laden weight, and the bus route has therefore been altered. A provisional estimate of the cost of strengthening the bridge is £2,500.
Miss LeeI think the Minister knows that I was not putting the point that the bridge has been abandoned but that its use by public vehicles has been abandoned. Will he look into the fact that the inconvenience and the additional length of the working day caused to many people in the area is far in excess of what we believe would be the cost of mending the bridge? As it is causing expense and lengthening the working day, will the hon. Gentleman please exert himself to have the bridge made suitable to carry public vehicles?
§ Mr. NugentThe Traffic Commismissioners considered this matter very carefully when the application was made to divert the route; but I understand that the highway authority—the county council—is in consultation with the British Transport Commission, and I can but hope that something useful will 1241 eventuate from that. In any event, I will have the hon. Lady's observations drawn to their attention.