§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current expected start date for construction of the road bridge crossing of the Dornoch firth; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe essential site preparation work on temporary jetty which started some time ago is near completion. The construction of structural elements of the bridge is estimated to start in mid-September subject to satisfactory performance of the trial pile.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the results of the soil investigations currently being undertaken to determine the design needs of the foundations of the road bridge over the Dornoch firth.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonTo determine the design and construction method of the foundations of the road bridge over Dornoch firth, one final trial pile is required which is anticipated to start on 21 July and finish on 28 July. This completes the investigations.