§ 57. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Transport on how many occasions during the week commencing 8th November Tower Bridge was opened to allow ships to pass; and what was the number of ships concerned.
§ 121. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Minister of Transport what discussions have taken place, or are proposed, in an effort to deal with the heavy traffic congestion caused by the opening of Tower Bridge.
§ Mr. MarplesTower Bridge was opened 1,880 times between 1st January and 23rd November, 1959. Thirty-one of these were during the week beginning on 8th November, to allow the passage of 41 ships. The Corporation of London (Tower Bridge) Act of 1885 requires that priority be given to shipping, but I propose to arrange for discussions with the various authorities and interests concerned to see whether we can reduce the number of times the bridge needs to be opened during the day.