§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Transport what is the present estimated cost of the previous widening scheme for Fullbridge, Maldon, Essex, which included the widening of the northern approach road, on both sides, up to Station Road, and the diversion of westbound traffic from the steep Market Hill to Downs Road: and why this scheme was shelved.
§ Mr. MarplesI understand that no scheme which included the widening of the northern approach road has been prepared either by the Essex County Council or by the Maldon Borough Council. The diversion scheme was considered by the county council and by my Department, and it was decided that its traffic value was not great enough to warrant undertaking it as a classified road project. I understand the borough council was unwilling to carry out the scheme itself and that no estimate of its cost is available.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of properties purchased by the local authority for the widening of the southern approach road to Fullbridge, Maldon, Essex; how many have been demolished; and how many were purchased for the diversion of west-bound traffic to Downs Road.
§ Mr. MarplesI understand that three properties have been acquired and demolished for the small part of the 131W southern approach road affected by the proposed bridge reconstruction, and that none were purchased for the diversion scheme.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Transport how much road widening, on either the north or south side of the bridge, is to be included in the present Fullbridge, Maldon, Essex, bridge widening scheme.
§ Mr. MarplesI understand that the approaches will be improved for 60 yards to the north and 37 yards to the south of the new bridge to provide a satisfactory alignment with the road on either side.