§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he was consulted on the closures of Waterloo, Hammersmith and Battersea bridges; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 15 January 1993]: These bridges are all on roads which have been designated under paragraph 5, schedule 5 of the Local Government Act 1985. London boroughs are required to give notice of proposals to exercise, on designated roads, certain powers under the Highways Act 1980 or the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The circumstances requiring notification are described in the 1985 Act. On 1 September 1992, the traffic director for London became responsible for dealing with designated road notifications.
My Department received notifications relating to the closure of Battersea bridge. I understand that the traffic director for London was consulted about the proposal to close Waterloo bridge. The work on Hammersmith bridge does not require notification.