HC Deb 23 June 1961 vol 642 cc1865-6
Mr. W. T. Aitken (Bury St. Edmunds)

I beg to move, in page 3, line 17, after "say" to insert: "subsection (8) of section eleven."

It might be convenient to take with this Amendment those in page 3, line 28, and line 30.

The Chairman

Yes.

Mr. Aitken

The purpose of the first Amendment is to enable schemes for the construction of bridges or tunnels over or under navigable waters to be made by two or more authorities jointly. Hon. Members who took part in the Committee stage will remember that a new Clause was introduced which gave further powers to local authorities to construct bridges, tunnels or roads over navigable waters. The Amendment will enable local authorities to make joint arrangements between themselves determining their respective responsibility for the various highway functions in connection with a bridge or tunnel.

As Clause 3 was originally drafted, provision was made only for a single authority to make a scheme. But, as it very often happens that navigable rivers form the boundaries between local authorities, it is quite usual for local authorities on either side of the boundary to promote schemes for bridges and tunnels as joint enterprises.

I do not think there is anything startling about the Amendment. I hope that it will be accepted. The other two Amendments are consequential on the first.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 3, line 28, at end insert: references in the said subsection (8) to the special road and the special road authority were references to the bridge or tunnel in question and the highway authority for it and the".

In page 3, line 30, leave out "in question". [Mr. Aitken.]

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.