HC Deb 04 March 1964 vol 690 cc1296-7
29. Mr. Gourlay

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the Forth Road Bridge; and when he expects to announce the date of the official opening.

Mr. G. Campbell

Given a continuance of the recent favourable weather conditions, it is expected that traffic will be able to use the bridge this autumn. I should hope that it will be possible to fix the official opening date by early summer.

Mr. Gourlay

Will the Minister say whether it is still the intention of the Government to impose tolls on this bridge? Can he give an assurance that traffic will be allowed to use the bridge before the date fixed for the official opening?

Mr. Campbell

In answer to the first supplementary question, yes. In answer to the second, the best course would be for the formal opening of the bridge and its opening to traffic to coincide. If that proves difficult to arrange because of uncertainty, other arrangements may have to be made.

Mr. W. Hamilton

Can the hon. Gentleman say, if tolls will be levied, whether the Government intend to levy tolls when traffic first starts moving across the bridge, or after the date of the official opening?

Mr. Campbell

That is an entirely different question.