HC Deb 18 October 1972 vol 843 c240
3. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of construction of the Humber Bridge and approach roads.

The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)

Construction of the bridge and its approach roads is the responsibility of the Humber Bridge Board. I understand that progress is up to schedule which is to complete the bridge by 1976.

Mr. Wall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that by that date there will be no northern exit from the bridge because the Beverley south-west by-pass will not be completed until 18 months later? There will also be no north-south exit because the Department has decided that this road should be designated as a county road, which cannot be completed until the 1980s.

Mr. Page

The northern approach road to the bridge will connect directly with the trunk road A63, and that will be improved by the time the bridge opens. The southern approach road will be linked to a new east-west route M180, leading to the M18 at Thorne, by the time the bridge opens.