HC Deb 27 January 1970 vol 794 cc1188-9
11. Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport what further proposals he has for erecting temporary flyovers at congested road junctions following the completion of some flyovers in 1969; and if he will give completion dates.

Mr. Bob Brown

Two temporary flyovers are under construction and two more have been authorised. Those under construction are at Gallows Corner in Havering and at Lodge Avenue in Barking and should be completed in April this year and late 1973 respectively. Flyovers at Newbank Interchange in Halifax and Ballards Road-Kent Avenue in Dagenham are programmed and should be completed in mid-1972 and 1974.

Sir R. Russell

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that answer. Would he agree that there are many junctions on roads such as the North and South Circular roads in London which are suitable for this treatment where no permanent solution has yet been found?

Mr. Brown

It is fairly evident that the need for temporary flyovers will always occur in heavily congested urban areas. Without specifying any particular road, temporary flyovers have disadvantages as well as advantages, particularly when it comes to doing the permanent job.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will the hon. Gentleman say why most flyovers in this country are built to last 200 years? It would be quite impossible to modify them. Will he note that some form of prefabricated flyover, such as the turnpike in New Jersey, could suit many cases, speed up the rate of road reconstruction and help solve traffic problems?

Mr. Brown

I think it fair to say that flyovers of the type the hon. Member has in mind are not basically temporary. A permanent flyover, whether built to last for 100 or 200 years, clearly has to be a very strong structure. I doubt very much whether we could ever have a permanent flyover built in a prefabricated style.