HC Deb 29 May 1957 vol 571 cc389-92
36. Mr. Dye

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what recommendations he has received from the Norfolk County Council regarding the construction of a new bridge over the River Great Ouse at Downham Market to carry the road A.1122; and what recent reply he has sent to them.

Mr. Nugent

We have received no formal representations from the county council about this scheme since October, 1954. Our divisional road engineer explained then that no funds could be made available towards the cost of a new bridge.

Mr. Dye

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the old bridge was condemned nearly twenty-five years ago, that a temporary bridge was erected in its place, and that it is now necessary to use the old bridge again while the temporary one is repaired? Is he aware that a fund for the purpose exists, which is no doubt invested in stocks which are deteriorating, and that it is possible for the firm now constructing many bridges in the area in connection with the flood precautions scheme to build a bridge cheaper than it could be done probably at any other time? Will he look into the matter?

Mr. Nugent

I am afraid I can give the hon. Gentleman no immediate prospect of a new bridge being built there. The wooden bridge to which he refers, which is now being repaired, will continue to give useful service for many years to come. In the meantime, the old bridge which is being used temporarily during the repairs is safe to use.

37. Mr. Dye

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is the condition of the Brandon Creek bridge which carries the trunk road A.10 over the River Little Ouse; what steps are being taken to keep the bridge from falling into the river and to regulate traffic over it; what representations he has received from the Norfolk County Council and the Downham Market Rural District Council regarding this bridge; and what replies he has sent to them.

Mr. Nugent

Brandon Creek Bridge is structurally sound apart from some corrosion of the main girders. We have received from the local authorities representations about the immediate need for a new bridge on an improved road alignment and our divisional road engineer is discussing the matter with the county council.

Mr. Dye

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a lot of piles are being put in the middle of the river to hold the bridge up and prevent it from falling into the river, and that that may be a danger from the flood point of view? Why it is necessary to spend all this money on propping up a very old, very narrow and very imperfect bridge when money will some time have to be spent to build a new one in its place?

Mr. Nugent

The work in hand is to put an additional pier in the middle of the existing bridge—

Mr. Dye

A wooden one?

Mr. Nugent

— which will make it perfectly sound. If the hon. Gentleman is so apprehensive about his safety when crossing the bridge, I suggest that he holds his breath next time he is crossing it, which would be a novel experience for him.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the bridge is of considerable importance not only to South-West Norfolk but to the Isle of Ely? With regard to one holding one's breath when going over the bridge, will he bear in mind that the bridge is highly dangerous, and the sooner it is re-aligned the better?

Mr. Nugent

When the present consultations have been completed we shall consider what place we can give the bridge in our road programme, but it will have to take its turn.

Mr. Strauss

While I am aware that the hon. Gentleman was trying to give a whimsical answer to the supplementary question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mr. Dye), this is a very serious matter, and the hon. Gentleman really should not answer a matter affecting—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question."] Might I put it like this? That sort of answer is resented— [HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] Is the Minister aware that the answer which he gave to my hon. Friend's supplementary question will be resented not only in the locality but in a large part of the House?

Mr. Nugent

I do not think so. In view of the supplementary question which was being put to me, I think it was a perfectly fair answer.

Mr. Dye

In view of the atrociously stupid reply of the Minister, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mr. Speaker

Order. If the hon. Member wishes to give notice that he desires to raise a matter on the Adjournment, he should confine his adjectives to "unsatisfactory".

Mr. Dye

But, Mr. Speaker, you will recall that the hon. Gentleman spoke of the action that I might have to take if I crossed the bridge, when he has put traffic lights there to stop me crossing it when others are coming in the opposite direction.