§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport when it was discovered that it would be necessary to replace the rocker assemblies which partially support the ends of the bridge deck of the Severn Bridge.
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§ Mr. HoramThe inadequacy of the rocker assemblies, under certain unlikely but possible conditions, was discovered in December 1976.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many companies in the United Kingdom are capable of undertaking the work of replacement of the rocker assemblies on the Severn Bridge.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport how long negotiations have been going on to obtain a contractor to undertake the repairs to the Severn Bridge.
§ Mr. HoramA contractor who is engaged on strengthening work on the site is advising the consulting engineer on the availability of materials and practical aspects of the proposals. Negotiation of a contract has not commenced, but discussions have been continuing since 14th February 1977.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if the estimate that the repairs on the Severn Bridge will not be completed till September is the longest estimate of the time that may be needed.
§ Mr. HoramThe estimated completion date in September is realistic in the light of present information. Resources will be deployed to complete the work as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he remains satisfied that the Severn Bridge remains safe to all users.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport how the inadequacies of the rocker assemblies on the Severn Bridge were revealed.
§ Mr. HoramThe inadequacies were revealed during reappraisal of the design following the Merrison Committee's recommendations.
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§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if checks are being made on other bridges in the United Kingdom, to find out if the rocker assemblies are in working order and able to bear all possible loads.
§ Mr. HoramThe Severn Bridge rocker assemblies are unique among the Department's bridges. The Humber Bridge is the only other bridge in England on which this type of rocker assembly is proposed. I understand that the consulting engineers to the Humber Bridge Board are reviewing this aspect of its design.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if inadequacies in the rocker assemblies have been discovered in any other bridges in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HoramInadequacies in rocker assemblies have not been discovered in any other bridges in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the cost of repairs to the Severn Bridge.