HC Deb 27 February 1984 vol 55 cc7-8
10. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why his Department has not built up a provisional list of road schemes for implementation at short notice.

Mr. Ridley

We have.

Mr. Hughes

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that that is an elementary precaution? If he had been stuck for ideas, I would have suggested that there is an urgent need for alternative routes via Gloucester into Wales, especially bearing in mind the difficulties with the Severn bridge. They should be top of the list.

Mr. Ridley

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's interest in roads through my constituency. The Birdlip bypass and the dualling of the road between Blunsdon and Cricklade and the Brockworth bypass should start in 1987. The Northleach bypass will open this summer. These are all contributions to an alternative route to Wales. We are also studying the possibility of a quick route from Gloucester to Ross-on-Wye by a road which would bypass Newent and join the M50 just beyond. These schemes have been carried forward for the reason that the hon. Gentleman has suggested.

Mr. Higgins

What extension of those schemes has proceeded on the basis of all the statutory planning requirements being completed, and which could be implemented without delay? Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the list includes a genuine bypass for Worthing which goes round the town, unlike the previous route which went straight through the middle?

Mr. Ridley

The schemes that are on the shelf are ready to start should the necessary extra financial resources be made available by early completions or because spending is below the budget set when the planning proposals were passed. I shall have to write to my right hon. Friend about whether those schemes include the desirable bypass around rather than through Worthing.

Mr. Hanley

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the chaos in south-west London this morning and during the weekend because of the closure at short notice of Hammersmith bridge? Will he ensure that the repairs are carried out by day and by night to alleviate the misery of road users and local residents, and will he make a statement about the state of the bridge?

Mr. Ridley

My hon. Friend is right to be worried about the bridge. It is a GLC bridge. Serious failure has taken place on one of the rockers. It will take a considerable time to repair. I hope that the GLC will have heard my hon. Friend urging that work be undertaken night and day to ensure that the bridge is closed for the shortest possible time.