§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of rail bridges in Scotland; what monitoring of their structural condition is carried out; by whom and how frequently; and what is the total annual cost involved.
§ Mr. FreemanI have been asked to reply. The information is as follows:
There are 9,194 rail bridges owned by British Rail in Scotland; 5,587 are operational and 3,607 are non-operational. They are subject to a visual examination every year and a detailed examination at intervals not exceeding six years by appointed examiners engaged by British Rail at an annual cost of £0.4 million. There are a further 3,400 non-operational bridges which have been sold and are no longer the responsibility of British Rail.