§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will appoint a person who shall be in charge of the Severn bridge, and who should be responsible for immediately informing the public of any substantial delays.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy regional director in Bristol is responsible for day-to-day management of the bridge and for informing the public of any work which is likely to cause a substantial delay. The police are responsible for informing the public of delays which occur because of unforeseen circumstances.
§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what reply his Department has sent to the letter from Mr. Peter W. Tomlinson, 34 Strathmore Road, Horfield, Bristol, detailing complaints as to the management of the Severn bridge on Thursday 10 June.
§ Mrs. ChalkerA reply will be sent shortly to Mr. Tomlinson's letter of 19 June.
§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when the police, and each individual broadcasting organisation were informed that there was more than an hour's delay for west-bound traffic on 10 June on the occasion of the Dunlop Masters golf tournament; and what other steps were taken to inform the public that there was such a delay;
(2) if he will consider introducing a scheme whereby motorists paid an appropriate sum for the use of the Severn bridge when approaching the present toll booths, and nothing on the return journey, so as to avoid stationary traffic on the bridge and speed up west to east traffic flows.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI shall answer these questions shortly.