§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Wales what action was taken to warn canoeists on the River Wye of the danger resulting from the recent flood damage to scaffolding at Builth Bridge; why his Department has now thought it necessary, in spite of the advise of the Wye River Division of the Welsh National Water Development Authority, to instruct contractors to proceed with the re-erection of further scaffolding in the same place before the end of the winter flood season; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Barry JonesWork on the Wye River bridge is being carried out in discharge of my right hon. and learned Friend's duty under the Highways Acts to maintain the structure for the safety of users of the trunk road. The special requirements of the Wye River Division of the Welsh National Water Development Authority with regard to the conduct of the work are embodied in the contract documents for the scheme. Provided these requirements are observed it is a matter for the contractor to decide on the timing of the operations necessary to enable him to complete the work within the contract period. I understand that the contractor has no immediate plans to re-erect scaffolding and no instructions to do so have been issued by the Welsh Office.
Warning notices have been erected by the Welsh Office on the bridge works, the river banks and on the upstream access to the river from the local authority car park.