§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Transport what evidence he has that heavy lorries of 40 tons gross weight using the Severn bridge constantly and well beyond the degree originally envisaged will prematurely damage the bridge and diminish its effectiveness as an essential road link decades ahead of its life expectancy.
§ Mr. FowlerAs I have said, any decision on increased lorry weights must 425W await the report of the independent inquiry I have set up. However, whatever the final decision is, regular inspection and maintenance of the bridge will ensure that it is effective for its full life.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Transport if work is at present proceeding to estimate the possible need for a second road bridge crossing of the Severn estuary, in view of the increasing use of the present one.
§ Mr. FowlerI announced on 26 October in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Mr. Benyon) that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I were commissioning an initial study into the potential need for a second Severn crossing. A working party is now considering the capacity of the existing road and rail crossings and whether a full feasibility study should be done—[Vol. 972. c.324.]