§ 25. Sir W. Anstruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of strengthening the road bridge over the Tweed at Cold stream to enable it to carry the extra heavy traffic now directed over it; and what proportion of this cost is borne by the Government.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe work at present in progress was originally estimated to cost £6,000, but the necessity for more extensive work has recently become clear. It is too early to say what the cost will be, but the Government will bear the whole amount.
Sir W. Antruther-GrayMay I ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind the fact that his Department has been taking much too narrow a view of this problem? Is he aware that the present figure is much nearer £50,000, and that there is great 871 doubt whether the present Coldstream Bridge will ever be able to stand up to the very heavy traffic which is now directed over it, and that it might be necessary to find a different site for the bridge a mile or two upstream from the present Coldstream Bridge?
§ Mr. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend is aware of that Berwick County Council has now asked for a meeting of representatives of all the authorities concerned to discuss the possibility of constructing a new bridge in the vicinity of Coldstream. My right hon. Friend is consulting his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, who is equally concerned.