§ 13. Lady Tweedsmuirasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to say whether the Tay bridge 1226 will be completed at the same time as the Forth road bridge.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonNo, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not think that this would be possible and I would refer the hon. Lady to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) on 1st December.
§ Lady TweedsmuirIs my hon. Friend aware that I have read that reply with great care? Does he not think that, once the consulting engineers have completed their preliminary work, it would do a tremendous amount to help bring industry to the North-East of Scotland? Can he give an assurance that if all the surveys are satisfactory the Government will press on to try to get this bridge completed at the same time as the Forth road bridge?
§ Mr. MacphersonWe think it will take about three years from start to finish to build the Tay road bridge. Of course, we have not yet got to the stage where we can make a start. I should, however, say to my hon. Friend that the main benefit we expect to see from the Forth road bridge will be enjoyed by traffic moving to the north-east area by the present route.
§ Lady TweedsmuirIs my hon. Friend aware that drivers would have to make a detour unless the Tay bridge is completed at the same time? If it is to take only three years to complete this bridge, would my hon. Friend say whether he thinks that it is a matter of great urgency to try to press forward with the work?
§ Mr. MacphersonIt will be for traffic itself to choose which route it takes. On the information that is available to us, the longer-distance road traffic will take the present route and not go over the Tay bridge.