§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, columns 713–14, relating to bridge strengthening, how many bridges on the trunk road network have been strengthened to date; when he expects local authorities to complete their assessment of their bridge stock; and by what criteria and by whom decisions on which require strengthening will be made. [150331]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWith regard to bridges on the trunk network, the position at 1 April 1997 was that 528 had been strengthened. Work on the strengthening programme continues and I shall write to my hon. Friend in due course providing an update on progress.
The vast majority of local authority assessments will have been completed by 31 March 1999. However, it seems likely that a small number, on roads of less strategic importance, will remain to be assessed in 1999–2000. It is for local authorities to decide, in the light of local needs and 2W circumstances, whether to strengthen individual bridges or to make use of alternative measures such as weight restrictions or traffic management.