HC Deb 08 May 1968 vol 764 cc411-2
39. Mr. Tilney

asked the Minister of Transport what investigations he has made into the cost of a low-level bridge from Speke rising to cross the Manchester Ship Canal, so that traffic can flow more easily between the south end of Liverpool and the Wirral.

Mr. Bob Brown

None, Sir. This matter is within the purview of the Merseyside Area Land Use Transportation Study.

Mr. Tilney

Since traffic needs to flow freely round the periphery of great conurbations and since there is no such means at present for this to happen on Merseyside, will the hon. Gentleman look into the economies to be achieved by, for example, the pre-stressed concrete bridge built by the Tasmanian Government over the Derwent at Hobart and costing about one-third of the price of a tunnel?

Mr. Brown

I will commend the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to my right hon. Friend, but at present it is too early to go into detailed consideration of the type and location of such a crossing. It is also too early to comment on the issue of cost.

Mr. Ogden

When my hon. Friend is considering what type of crossing it should be, will he bear in mind the fact that the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board provides the Manchester Ship Canal Company with the use of a crane called "The Mammoth" and that, unless there is consideration of the need for a high-level bridge, Manchester may not be able to rely on this type of assistance from Merseyside in the future?

Mr. Brown

Yes, Sir.