§ Lord APSLEYasked the Minister of Transport what has been the complete cost of the new bridge and approaches recently carried out at Loftsome alongside the existing toll bridge; how such complete costs compare with the original estimate and the cost of purchasing the toll bridge; and what arrangements have been made to warn traffic using the bridge of the penalties for using it in such manner as to infringe Clause xliii of the Loftsome Bridge Act?
§ Mr. PYBUSThe cost of the new bridge is not yet known, but it is expected to be less than the amended estimate of £48,000. The increase over the original estimate of £39,000 has been due to exceptional trouble with the foundations. Whatever would have been the cost of purchasing the toll bridge, I am advised that even if the purchase had been effected it would have been necessary to construct a new bridge in place of the existing timber one. I understand that the county council are satisfied that users of the new toll-free bridge will not render themselves liable to penalties.