§ 29. Mr. John Hallasked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from the Marlow Urban District Council about the future of Marlow bridge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayThe Marlow Urban District Council has asked us to receive a deputation on this matter. While, of course, we would be willing to do this, we feel that we should have an up-to-date assessment of the traffic in the area. We are, therefore, asking the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire County Councils to carry out a traffic survey at Marlow this summer, and it would seem preferable to defer the visit of a deputation until this has been completed.
§ Mr. HallIs my hon. Friend aware that it is nearly three years since a limit of two tons was placed on the bridge, and it is even longer since it became known that the bridge is either to be reconstructed or replaced? Is it not extraordinary that only now have instructions been given for a traffic survey to be carried out? This is causing great inconvenience and difficulty to the residents of Marlow.
§ Mr. HayThere are a great many views about this. My right hon. Friend is faced with the problem of whether to rebuild the existing bridge at a cost of £190,000 or whether it would be better to provide a completely new bridge at £215,000. There are a number of views about that. We must get the facts right first.
§ Mr. HallThis has been before my hon. Friend's Department for a very time. Surely it should not take much longer before a decision is reached one way or another?
§ Mr. HayDuring that long time there has been a surprising lack of unanimity amongst local interests concerned about what ought to be done.