§ 7. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the dangers to road traffic and pedestrians at the single line traffic road bridge carrying the A440 over the Birmingham-Bristol main railway line at Defford, Worcestershire; and, in view of the fact that improvement was approved for road double tracking and widening some while ago, whether he will now sanction the necessary expenditure for remedial works in 1969–70.
The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Bob Brown)We are aware of the situation on this principal road, but the proposed improvement has not sufficient priority to be undertaken for some time.
§ Sir G. NabarroWould the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that trains are now passing beneath this hump-back, single-track road bridge at speeds of up to 100 miles an hour and that there is very little protection to prevent vehicles 3 going over on to the railway line? Does he appreciate that unless he takes some remedial action pretty soon there may well be an appalling accident here?
Mr. BrownI cannot go any further than I have already gone. The county council clearly feels that other schemes for road programmes for this year are far more urgent than this one.