§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the report of the study carried out by G. Maunsell and Partners to determine the state of the concrete bridges for which his Department is responsible.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyYes. The report will be published by HMSO in March. The report provides valuable information on the performance of concrete bridges in service and how greater durability and better performance in the future may be achieved. The report has not revealed new problems. It has indicated that the known problems are more widespread than anticipated.
Some provision for extra spending on the maintenance of concrete bridges has already been allowed for in the 15-year bridge rehabilitation programme announced in November 1987. This programme will be modified to take account of the extra work revealed by the study. The report confirms that our trunk road bridges are safe, despite the signs of deterioration.
The Department's structures are regularly inspected and priority given to repairs where structural integrity or the safety of the public is in question. An increased effort is needed over the next 15 years to ensure that our bridges will continue to give useful service for their intended lives.