HC Deb 26 February 1975 vol 887 cc482-3
12. Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Humber Bridge to be opened.

Mr. Crosland

I understand that, unless unforeseen difficulties arise, the Humber Bridge Board expects the bridge to be open by the end of 1977.

Mr. Brotherton

I am not sure how familiar the right hon. Gentleman is with the South Humberside and Grimsby area, but is he aware that the road system on the south bank is totally inadequate? Will he consider delaying the opening of the bridge until adequate roads have been constructed to take care of the expected traffic?

Mr. Crosland

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have been around in that area a good deal longer than he has and I had a rather larger majority than he did at the last General Election. I am very familiar with the question of the South Humberside roads and I am not satisfied with progress. The broad picture is that west of the bridge the position is satisfactory. East of the bridge, which is what concerns both of us, there will be a gap between the opening of the bridge and the completion of the road network. I am constantly trying to speed up the completion of the road network, but that is easier said than done.

Mr. Fox

The Opposition remember the pledge given by the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) at a by-election in North Hull when she promised that the bridge would be built. Does the Minister accept that what worries people in the area is not the opening date but the cost? Is he prepared to reconsider the financial implications?

Mr. Crosland

Any coincidence of timing with any by-election was entirely adventitious. The cost of the bridge has escalated, as indeed has the cost of all major road-building projects. The cost is now put at £37 million, but I have no plans to reconsider the cost with the Humber Bridge Board.

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