§ Mr. Ashbyasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received the results of the investigations into the problem of cracking in the Trent and B6540 bridges on the M1.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have received an interim report from the consulting engineers, Mott, Hay and Anderson, and I have placed copies in the Library. The consultants confirm that alkali aggregate reaction is the principal cause of cracking of concrete in the bridges, but they consider that significant loss of overall strength is unlikely to occur in the short term. They recommend that the condition of certain elements of the deck be carefully monitored and that waterproofing and other measures be taken to slow the rate of deterioration. These recommendations are being implemented immediately.
The consultants are continuing their investigations and are expected to submit their final report next year.