HC Deb 25 October 1954 vol 531 cc244-5W
Mr. J. J. Astor

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has now received the Report of the Technical Panel concerning the Tamar crossing; whether the Report will be published; and whether he will make a statement about it.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have received this Report and should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Panel for the thorough and able way in which they have fulfilled their task. I do not think that the considerable expense of printing the Report for general publication would be justified, but I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library and a copy will also be available for inspection by interested persons at the City Engineer's Office, Westwell Street, Plymouth.

The Panel summarise their conclusions as follows: (1) We consider that a bridge should be provided over the River Tamar as soon as circumstances permit. (2) On traffic grounds the best location for a bridge is in the vicinity of the Torpoint Ferry. As we are informed that Admiralty requirements preclude this site, the best available location is to the north of the Royal Albert Railway Bridge. (3) The bridge should be a high-level bridge with a vertical clearance above water level not less than that of the Royal Albert Bridge. (4) Connection to Plymouth and the east could be via Pemros Road or Normandy Way until such time as the Outer Ring Road is constructed. (5) On the Cornish side connections could be made to two roads in Saltash, North Road and Fore Street, bath of which could be improved to serve east and westbound through traffic respectively. (6) To obtain full use of a new bridge at Saltash, a substantially improved road to the west is required. For the reasons given in paragraphs 48 to 50, we recommend that a detailed survey of the existing road (A.374) and the line of possible by-passes should be carried out as soon as possible. (7) The need for improvement in the crossing of the River Tamar is urgent and, even if early approval can be given to the construction of a bridge and an improved western approach, it will be some time before these facilities are available to the public. We recommend, therefore, that interim measures should be considered as follows:

  1. (a) Advance warning to drivers of delays at the ferries (paragraph 60). This would be a help but would not make any substantial impact on the problem, and we therefore recommend that further consideration should be given to—
  2. (b) Extension of the hulls on all the floating bridges at Torpoint (paragraphs 98 and 99).
  3. (c) Subsequently, if circumstances render them necessary, the introduction of (1) a third ferry at Torpoint (2) a second ferry at Saltash."

I shall, of course, have to consider the Panel's recommendations in consultation with the authorities concerned before I can say what action will be taken on them.