§ Mr. Smallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the construction of Whiteinch Tunnel.
§ Mr. Maclay,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th October, 1961 ; Vol. 646, c. 41], supplied the following information: The work comprises two tunnels under the Clyde with associated approach roads and ventilation and lighting equipment. In each tunnel a 12-ft. diameter pilot tunnel is driven first followed by the main drive at the full tunnel diameter. Two tunnelling shields are in use so that in each tunnel one can be driven southwards and the other northwards at the same time.
In tunnel No. 1 the main drive south has been completed and the main drive north has now passed beyond the White-inch railway bridge. When the remaining 40 yards have been driven the tunnel will be ready for lining and for the construction of the roadway, the pedestrian and cyclist tunnels and for the installation of the ventilation and lighting systems.
2WIn the second tunnel the pilot tunnel drive southwards has been completed and the drive northwards is in progress. To give easier access for the ground treatment required for the main drive northwards, an alternative passenger ferry landing stage is being provided. The driving of the north main tunnel should begin at the end of the year. The south main drive will start when the second shield has been released from the first tunnel and reassembled in the second.
Work on the approaches to the tunnel is satisfactory ; the southern approaches are virtually complete while the north approaches are about 40 per cent. complete.
Contracts have now been let for the three main ancillary works-electrical services, the provision of ventilation plant, and the construction of ventilation buildings. Fabrication of the ventilation plant has begun and the steel work for the south portal ventilation building has been erected.
It is anticipated that the first tunnel will be opened in mid-1963 and the second in mid-1964.