§ Dr. Millerasked the Minister of Transport what information she has about the existence of sub-standard highway bridges; and what measures she is taking to deal with them.
§ Mrs. CastleAs part of the task of seeing that our roads are fit for the growing volume of traffic and heavy vehicles in particular, my Department, in co-operation with the Scottish Development Department, the Welsh Office, the British Railways Board, the County Surveyors Society and the Building Research Station, has recently completed a new Code of Assessment for assessing the adequacy of old bridge structures for present day traffic.
My Department is using the new Code to check suspect trunk road bridges in England (for which I am responsible) and has assisted in the assessment of trunk road bridges in Wales (which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State). The British Railways Board, the largest bridge-owners in the country, are using the Code to reassess their overline bridges of which they have completed a preliminary survey with the co-operation of the Ministry. These surveys have revealed the existence of a number of bridges inadequate for the full range of vehicles permitted by the Construction and Use Regulations.
Of the 4,000 bridges carrying trunk roads in England and Wales, we have reassessed more than half the suspect structures and found 20 that are substandard. 5 have already been brought up to strength, and weight restrictions are being applied on the rest pending reconstruction.
Of the Railways 10,000 overline bridges, about 900 (none of them on trunk roads) are likely to be found substandard, some only marginally so. Others are much weaker and in need of immediate attention. I have therefore agreed with the Railways Board that they start work on 286W a special programme of improvements. Where possible, the Board will take immediate short-term measures to give temporary support. In other cases, and where bridges are important for road traffic, they will be strengthened or reconstructed over the next two years to bring them up to standard loading.
Until this has been done, the Board will ask local highway authorities for Orders under the Road Traffic Act, 1960, restricting the use of these bridges. Where the cost of remedial works to bridges on lightly trafficked routes would not be justified—over half the total—the Board will apply for Orders for permanent restrictions on their use. Some disruption of road traffic will be inevitable; we will try to keep it to a minimum compatible with safety.
Our experience with the trunk road and railway bridges suggests that some other bridges for which local highway authorities and private owners are responsible are also likely to be suspect. This has been discussed with local authority representatives and I am sending local authorities today a circular telling them of the situation and recommending them to check their own highway bridges using the new Code of Assessment. I am also asking them to co-operate by dealing speedily with applications they receive for traffic restriction Orders in the interests of safety.
Where works are necessary on bridges on principal roads, they will qualify for grant support from the Ministry in the normal way.
I am also asking local authorities to see that all private owners of bridges in their areas are informed of the situation.
No reliable estimate can yet be formed of the total number of sub-standard bridges but judging by our other surveys, the number could be considerable. The situation requires bridge owners to take stock of the situation and plan a sensible programme of works and restriction of the use of the substandard bridges having regard to the need both to safeguard road traffic and to keep it moving. My department will be glad to help with advice.
Similar action is being taken by the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales.