§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many tracks the Bailey Bridge on the A.30 at Fenny Bridges, Devon, provides; and how long it is likely to take to replace it with a new permanent bridge.]
§ LORD HILTON OF UPTONMy Lords, the Bailey Bridge erected by the Army carries one lane of traffic. Westbound traffic uses it. The Devon County Council, as our agent authority, have erected a beam bridge capable of carrying two lanes of traffic. This carries the Eastbound traffic. We hope to have a new permanent bridge in use in about a year.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his most satisfactory Answer in the short term. May I ask him whether, in the event of the tidal flow of traffic to and from the West Country reversing itself, the two-lane bridge will be able to be changed over with the one-lane bridge?
§ LORD HILTON OF UPTONMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for the welcome which he gave to my original Answer. Regarding his second point, I can assure him that I will put it forward to my right honourable friend.
THE LORD BISHOP OF EXETERMy Lords, could the Minister inform us not only about the future of the bridge at Fenny Bridges, but about the future of the permanent bridge at Marsh, on the A.303?
§ LORD HILTON OF UPTONMy Lords, I am sorry, but that really is another Question, and I do not have the answer to it.