HL Deb 16 July 1991 vol 531 c6WA
Lord Monson

asked Her Majesty's Government:

(a) On how many occasions in the past five years bridges spanning the Thames have been damaged by barges or other types of shipping; (b) the approximate total cost of the damage, excluding the indirect costs incurred by those who regularly use the bridges; and (c) the approximate proportion of the cost of repairs, diversion of buses, etc, which fell upon taxpayers or local rate or community charge payers.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

There have been seven such incidents in the past five years, in two of which only slight damage was caused; two concerned Battersea road bridge. In five cases the bridges belong to local authorities; in two, to British Rail. Carrying out repairs, and recovering the cost from the parties concerned, are the responsibility of those authorities, and the Government do not have the information requested.