§ 22. Mr. Molloyasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware of the traffic hold up and dislocation, caused by the closing of the bridge at Kensington Road, Northolt; what progress has been made in his discussions with the London Borough of Ealing and other parties on this subject; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what proposals have now been submitted to him by the London Borough of Ealing regarding the Kensington Road bridge at Northolt; and if he will approve them;
(3) whether, following his approval of a replacement bridge over the Grand Union Canal near Northolt, he will now approve a temporary structure pending the construction of the new bridge.
Mr. Bob BrownKensington Road is a district road for which the London Borough of Ealing is the Highway Authority. I am aware of the inconvenience caused by the closure of this road, though alternative routes are available between Western Avenue and Ruislip Road.
The Borough Council expect to let a contract for the construction of a new bridge in the spring of this year. My Department has agreed to sponsor a loan for the extra cost over and above the 99W contribution of the British Waterways Board, whose financial responsibility is limited to the cost of replacing the bridge to its original standards.
I understand the Council do not consider that a temporary structure could be provided quickly or economically because it would involve the acquisition of land and the construction of temporary approach roads. They consider it best to go ahead as quickly as possible with the provision of a new bridge. We see no reason to differ from these views.