§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, column 53, what assessment he has made of the time scale of the threat to the structural integrity of the Forth rail bridge.
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 10 February 1995]: Railtrack continues to carry out detailed assessments of the Forth bridge. The structure is being inspected more thoroughly than ever before so as to ensure that attention can be concentrated on the areas which are in the most deserving condition. New shotblasting methods are currently being concentrated on the lattice tie-members of the bridge. Although relatively small components, these are of great importance to the bridge's structural integrity. Railtrack assessments confirm that the present maintenance and painting programme is fully adequate to protect the structural integrity of the bridge.