§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Transport what are her Department's plans for the Passingford Bridge on the Abridge-Ongar road, Essex; what representations have been received from the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, the River Roding Amenities Society and other bodies and individuals concerned to preserve this bridge; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SwinglerThis scheme involves two roads for which the Essex County Council are the highway authority. After consultation with the Divisional Road Engineer, the County Council applied for grant to build a new bridge. The scheme involves straightening A113, diverting the river slightly and replacing the T-junction at the southern end of the bridge by a roundabout.
Representations received from the Council for the Preservation of Rural England accept that the bridge needs to be replaced because it constitutes a road hazard and prevents the free flow of the river with resultant flooding at times. They oppose the diversion of the river and the construction of the roundabout.
155WThe River Roding Amenities Society have expressed concern at the effect the scheme will have on the amenities of the area.
We are satisfied that the Council are right in seeking to remove the present dangers and believe that the scheme proposed is the best solution. We have sought the views of the Royal Fine Art Commission. The Essex County Council accept their view that a competent professional adviser should be employed for landscaping the roundabout. The Commission's other suggestion that the existing bridge should be retained for its amenity value is still under discussion although we think this may not prove to be practicable.
What is eventually done will take full account of the Commission's comments, of the interests of the local authorities and the Essex River Board, and of the representations made by other bodies.