HC Deb 28 November 1962 vol 668 cc382-3
21. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the cost of flyovers in this country is much increased by the high permitted height of road vehicles; and whether, in view of the fact that increasing traffic will make more and more flyovers essential, he will consider reducing the maximum permitted height of vehicles.

Mr. Hay

No, Sir. Present standard clearances are designed to meet the needs of road transport.

Mr. Digby

Is not the fact obvious to anyone who goes about the country in a motor car that more and more flyovers are going to be required? Should not everything possible be done to reduce their cost and bring it down to the kind of level we find on the Continent of Europe?

Mr. Hay

No, Sir. My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. I am told that the aggregate financial saving on a reduction in height of a standard bridge or flyover would be very small indeed, and in some cases there would be no saving at all. I think that perhaps my hon. Friend might study the discussions on this matter that took place m the Select Committee on Estimates during the Session, 1958–59. I will send him copies of the proceedings.