HC Deb 26 May 1971 vol 818 cc162-3W
Mr. Jeffrey Archer

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to reveal his decisions on the Humber Bridge and South Humberside feasibility study.

Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement over developments regarding the Humber Bridge, including the financial arrangements for the bridge and its approach roads.

52. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Sectary of State for the Environment if he can now give his decision regarding the financial conditions for building the Humber Bridge and the future starting date.

54. Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now announce the starting date for the Humber Bridge project and the arrangements that the Government have made with the Humber Bridge Board for the financing of the project.

Mr. Graham Page

Following discussions with the Humber Bridge Board, I have agreed that the bridge should go ahead, starting construction next year and that the Government should lend the board 75 per cent. of the cost, the whole cost to be repaid from tolls.

I have also today authorised the addition to the trunk road preparation pool of a new high class road linking Scunthorpe with Grimsby. This will connect with the improved road already in preparation between the M18 at Thorne and Scunthorpe. I am also prepared, if Lindsey County Council concurs, to include in the principal road preparation list a scheme for an improved route from this new east-west road to the Humber Bridge, and a new spur to Immingham.