HC Deb 04 November 1970 vol 805 cc1056-8
2. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the building of the Humber Bridge; and when he last met the Humber Bridge Board upon this matter.

46. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on the Humber Bridge.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Michael Heseltine)

My right hon. Friend is at present investigating the proposals for financing the Humber Bridge: this will involve further discussions with the Board. Officials last met representatives of the Board a few weeks ago. He has now received an interim report from the consultant on the South Humberside network and has decided that a high standard dual carriageway East-West route is justified. This will run primarily on a new alignment from the M18 at Thorne, by-passing Scunthorpe to the South and incorporating a by-pass of Brigg.

Mr. Johnson

Now that the Humber Bridge has left the twilight of electoral pledges, I thank the hon. Gentleman for his statement. Will he accept the thanks of Humberside? We hope that the Government will go ahead wholeheartedly in our support in order to help keep to our timetable of building the bridge between 1972 and 1976. I understand that we shall get, in our Parliamentary Bill, some Government lending. Without committing himself, will the hon. Gentleman keep his mind and pocket open about the future grants for the bridge?

Mr. Heseltine

The hon. Gentleman may have slightly misunderstood what I said. I was not announcing that the bridge itself was going on. We are still having discussions with the Board, and we intend to have further meetings in the next few weeks. What I was announcing is an interim grant, for the by-pass to the South, which will enable part of the network to be advanced. We are still awaiting the final report of the consultants. I will bear in mind the point put by the hon. Gentleman about Government finance but that depends on how the financing of the bridge will be undertaken.

Mr. Wall

As the future of the bridge is not yet firm, can my hon. Friend tell us when he can make a firm statement and what will be the approximate cost of the bridge?

Mr. Heseltine

The decision on whether to go ahead with the bridge is still being discussed with the various local authorities and boards involved. There is a large number of complicated factors. The cost is still under discussion because we are looking at alternatives to the various networks involved. I would not want to give the impression, however, that the bridge is not going ahead. We are still examining the subject.

Mr. Crosland

While remaining wholly loyal to the decision of the last Government to go ahead with the Humber Bridge, may I press an even higher priority—the improvement of the East-West roads, particularly on South Humberside?

Mr. Heseltine

I am aware of the position of the last Government on this matter. They promised a bridge on the eve of the by-election of 1966. They won the by-election but they did not build the bridge. I hope the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that the decision which I have announced will help South Humberside.