§ 28. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Transport what are her plans for a third Mersey crossing between Liverpool and 802 the Cheshire side; and whether she has given consideration to a low-level bridge east of Garston Docks rising sufficiently to span the Manchester Ship Canal on the approach channel thereto.
§ Mr. SwinglerThe Merseyside Area Lane-Use/Transportation Survey is proceeding on the assumption that a third Mersey crossing will eventually be provided. The nature and timing of such a crossing will be considered further after the survey has been completed.
§ Mr. TilneyWould the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that most modern factories are now on the periphery of towns and that motorists do not mind going a few more miles provided that they can keep moving? Will he look at the experiment in Tasmania concerning the bridge over the Derwent near Hobart where the bridge cost one-third of what a tunnel would have cost?
§ Mr. SwinglerNaturally, we are interested in that and prepared to look at any facts and figures on the subject because the possibility of a bridge is a very likely one. Now that surveyors have been appointed we should wait until they have undertaken their expert survey. Very considerable work is developing in the area, and we have no doubt that as a result of the survey we shall get advice that a third crossing is justified.