§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on rail bridge strengthening; when the programme will be concluded; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanI understand that the British Railways Board does not currently have any specific programme of rail bridge strengthening.
§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress has been made on the road bridge strengthening programme; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what progress has been made by local authorities in their road bridge strengthening programme; when the programme will be completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleHeavier lorries, of 40 tonnes gross weight and 11.5 tonnes drive axle, will be allowed on roads in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1999. On trunk roads and motorways in England, some 8,000 structures are being assessed to determine whether they can safely carry this additional load. Strengthening is being carried out where necessary as part of a co-ordinated and cost-effective programme of road and bridge improvements.
Good progress is being made. All assessments are planned to be completed by the end of 1995, at a total cost of about £50 million. All strengthening is planned to be completed by the end of 1998, at a total cost of about £200 million.
Local highway authorities in England are being encouraged, through the transport supplementary grant 606W system, to undertake a similar programme on structures for which they are responsible and they will be asked to include a progress report in this year's transport policies and programme submissions.
Arrangements are also being made for a programme of inspection and strengthening of road bridges owned by British Rail and other transport undertakings.