§ 1. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to approve the resumption of work on the partly completed Whifflet Viaduct Road Bridge, which has been standing partly completed since about 1939.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gilmour Leburn)The viaduct was partly rebuilt before the war and provides a two-lane carriageway. Completion of the work to provide a dual carriageway to modern standards might cost about £250,000, and in view of the many urgent claims on classified road funds my right hon. Friend cannot say when he might be able to authorise the necessary highway grant.
§ Mr. DempseyDoes the Under-Secretary realise that one side of the viaduct is shored up with timber shoring, and is rather an eye-sore? In view of the major development in the Whifflet area of Coatbridge which will be undertaken very soon, would not this be an ideal opportunity to proceed with this work, which in any case was commenced before the war?
§ Mr. LeburnIdeally, what the hon. Member says is true. It is merely a question of priorities. I understand that 416 the work that was done on the viaduct before the war had to be done because that part of it was unsafe.