§ Sir W. LANE-MITCHELLasked the Minister of Transport why the road repairs to the Strand opposite Waterloo Bridge were not taken in hand when the bridge was closed to traffic, and are only being done now and prolonging the closing of the bridge?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIn view of the considerable amount of additional traffic thrown upon the Strand during the period when Waterloo Bridge was closed it was decided, after very full consultation with the police and highway authorities concerned, that the Strand should be kept free from road or other works obstructive to traffic during that period. Experience has shown that this course was fully justified. The works near Wellington Street, which are essential in order to secure the benefit provided by the widening of the Strand at that point, were commenced directly the bridge was opened to traffic, and by working continuously by day and by night, were so far completed as to render possible the use of Waterloo Bridge by vehicular traffic in both directions from midnight last Sunday. Clear instructions to this effect were given, but owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding on the part of an individual, for which I, of course, accept responsibility, north-bound traffic was in fact diverted from the bridge for some hours prior to noon on Monday, with the resultant congestion of Blackfriars Bridge.