HC Deb 26 January 1972 vol 829 cc1384-5
28. Mr. Duffy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Tinsley Viaduct section of the Ml will be open to four-lane traffic.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The section of Ml carried by the top deck of Tinsley Viaduct is dual three lanes of which dual two lanes are open to traffic.

As my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Development stated in reply to a Question by the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Park (Mr. Mulley), proposals for strengthening the viaduct should be available by the end of April, 1972. Until these are received I cannot estimate how long it will take to put them into effect.

Mr. Duffy

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this important viaduct has been restricted to two-lane traffic since June, 1971, and, in view of what he has just said, seems likely to be so restricted for a further six to 12 months? Does he think it good enough, in the face of current unemployment and surplus factory capacity, that there should be delays of up to a year before undertaking necessary modifications of this kind?

Mr. Heseltine

Until I have the report, I cannot decide whether the modifications are necessary. But I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree that public safety is paramount in such cases.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the information which he conveyed to the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce in a letter has caused concern in Sheffield? While I accept that there are technical difficulties—the engineers recently had a meeting on standards and improvements—is there no way of improving the position and having normal traffic across the viaduct, which is in a steel city, as soon as possible?

Mr. Heseltine

I cannot give any undertakings before seeing the report, which is due in April.