HC Deb 23 July 1958 vol 592 cc405-7
35. Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now able to sanction the Severn Bridge project; and if he will state the conditions which will govern the project, and the starting date.

Mr. Watkinson

I would refer the right hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 16th July last to my hon. Friend the Member for Somerset, North (Mr. Leather).

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is the Minister aware that the Answer he gave last week was rather ambiguous, and that in South Wales and the West Country there is still apprehension? Can he say when he is to give local authorities power to commence the approach roads and if he is to invite tenders for the contracts?

Mr. Watkinson

I think there is a further Question on that subject to be answered later, but I should like to clear up any misconception. I can tell the right hon. Member that the announcement made last week means that the Severn Bridge is now firmly in our programme and will follow the construction of the Forth crossing.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Am I to understand that when the underwater work is finished at the Firth of Forth, the contractors and workmen will be transferred to the Severn? Is that the idea of the Minister in phasing the programme?

Mr. Watkinson

I am advised on the highest technical grounds that the most economical way of constructing both these bridges—which, as the right hon. Member knows, are almost identical—is that construction of one should follow the other and I think his assumptions are in general correct.

44. Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to invite tenders for the construction of the Severn Bridge.

Mr. Watkinson

Because of the need to phase the Severn Bridge with the Forth Bridge, it is not yet possible to give a precise date, but it will be about six months before the start of the constructional work.

Mr. Ness Edwards

As the Minister excused himself earlier from answering some of my supplementary questions, will he now indicate whether or not he is prepared to allow county authorities to proceed with approach roads? May I also say that there is widespread appreciation in the West Country, and in South Wales, at the fact that, at last, he has put the Severn Bridge project firmly in his road programme?

Mr. Watkinson

I am sure that the Severn Bridge is a very necessary project, and I hope and believe that it will bring great economic benefits to that part of the world. As to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I think that my local representatives will already be in discussion about the approach roads but, if they are not, I shall see that they very soon start.