HC Deb 14 July 1969 vol 787 cc18-20
23. Mr. Tilney

asked the Minister of Transport what are his plans for implementing the Merseyside Area Land Use and Transportation Study Report.

Mr. Marsh

I welcome this Report, and I am giving urgent consideration to the recommendations on immediate priorities for new highway and public transport construction. The initiative for taking up the bulk of the recommendations lies of course with the local authorities and other bodies on Merseyside.

Mr. Tilney

Will the Minister bear in mind that it is estimated the rail terminal loop scheme would take 9,000 people from the buses on to the rail and, possibly, give a return of 17 per cent. on capital employed?

Mr. Marsh

I am anxious that preparatory work should go ahead as rapidly as possible. If the scheme goes ahead, a decision would have to be taken in conjunction with the passenger transport authority and British Railways.

24. Mr. Tilney

asked the Minister of Transport what are his plans for a bridge across the Mersey now that the Merseyside Area Land Use and Transportation Study Report is available.

Mr. Bob Brown

The Report proposes a bridge, but not as a first priority and it would be premature to be making plans now.

Mr. Tilney

Will the Minister bear in mind that instead of the bridge from Aigburth over to Bebington it might be cheaper to have a low-level one southeast of the Garston docks and rising over the Manchester Ship Canal?

Mr. Brown

Present indications are that the site of the bridge would probably be between Bromborough and Aigburth, but this of course would require further study.

Mr. Fortescue

In examining any proposal for a bridge from Aigburth, which is in my constituency, will the Joint Parliamentary Secretary take good care to consider the effect that it might have on the deep-water channel from the mouth of the Mersey to Garston docks, also in my constituency?

Mr. Brown

I assure the hon. Gentleman that provision for navigation will be duly taken into account in the design of the bridge.

Mr. Heffer

Is my hon. Friend aware that for many years people in Liverpool, through the city council and other bodies, have been urging the establishment of such a bridge? Is it not possible to erect such a bridge taking into account the point made by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Fortescue)? There are such bridges in existence at San Francisco and other places.

Mr. Brown

This brings us on to the programme. No decision is possible at this point in time. The scheme will even- tually be programmed for an appropriate year. This will be determined on the basis of traffic needs and the resources available for construction.