§ Lord RAGLANasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is wrong with the Severn Bridge and whether, according to the advice they have so far received about its structure, anything can be done about it.
§ Baroness BIRKAn analysis completed at the end of 1976 showed that, under certain unlikely but possible conditions of loading, there was an inadequate reserve of strength in the rocker assemblies which partially support the ends of the bridge deck. The rocker assemblies are currently being replaced.
During the current lane closures, opportunity is being taken to repair some 20 short cracks which have been detected in the 75 miles of weld connecting the trough stiffeners to the deck plate.