§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport how many cases of deck failure on the elevated sections of the Midlands link motorways have been found during inspections in 1979 and 1980 to date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe concrete decks have not failed at any point and remain capable of carrying the loads for which they were designed. Some of the bearings to the steel beams which support these decks require repair or replacement. These works do not affect the safety of the structure itself and need not require closure of the carriageway. Since 1979 most of the 18,500 bearings have been inspected and 4,852 repaired.