§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the progress towards a new Severn river crossing;
(2) when he proposes to begin the construction of a new Severn river crossing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyA number of groups of firms interested in bidding for the second Severn bridge have responded to the Department's invitation to submit proposals. These are now being assessed.
We hope to announce by the end of February the groups selected to submit full tenders. We remain on course to provide the bridge by the mid-1990s, if traffic levels justify this.
Promoters will be asked to indicate possible completion dates and the toll levels associated with them.