Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action is being taken in Wales to implement safety standards for bridges; if he is satisfied that all appropriate action has been taken; what extra resources his Department has made available to meet these standards; and what system of monitoring is employed.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI am satisfied with the arrangements for maintaining safety standards on motorway and trunk road bridges in Wales. All bridges are inspected at two-yearly intervals and resources are made available to deal with repairs as the need arises. New bridges are designed and independently checked in accordance with departmental standards.
The safety of bridges on local authority roads is a matter for county highway authorities and the safety of rail bridges is a matter for British Rail.