HC Deb 21 July 1993 vol 229 cc251-2W
Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will identify, for each road authority area in Scotland, the bridges which would require treatment if the proposal to increase lorry loading from 38 to 44 tonnes is implemented.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 16 July 1993]: Local authorities are still undertaking assessments of the bridges in their area for the higher gross vehicle weight limits of 40 tonnes which come into effect on 1 January 1999. This bridge strengthening programme will take account of the proposed 44 tonne limit.

It is not yet possible to identify, for each roads authority in Scotland, the bridges which would require treatment for the proposed limits.

On trunk roads 10 structures have been strengthened out of the 50 identified requiring treatment. One bridge has been superseded by a road scheme. The remaining 39 bridges are being reassessed and those requiring strengthening will be strengthened by the end of 1998.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost to each roads authority in Scotland for road and bridge improvements if the proposal to increase lorry loading from 38 tonnes to 44 tonnes is implemented.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 16 July 1993]: Local authorities are still undertaking assessments of the bridges in their areas for the higher gross vehicle weight limits which come into effect on 1 January 1999. Consequently, it is not yet possible to estimate the cost to each roads authority in Scotland for road and bridge improvements.

Thirty-nine trunk road bridges are being reassessed and until this work is completed it is not possible to estimate the cost of strengthening measures.