§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) for what reasons the opening of the second Severn crossing will not take place until after the official opening ceremony; [27951]
(2) if he will arrange for the second Severn crossing to be open to traffic before the official opening ceremony. [27952]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 7 May 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the opening of the Second Severn Crossing.
The bridge cannot be opened to traffic until construction has been completed and the permit to use has been issued. This will be issued shortly before the official opening ceremony.
We intend to open the road to traffic as soon as is safely possible after the ceremony.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision he will make for traffic diversions to circumnavigate the M49 pending its completion when the second Severn crossing opens. [228401]
51W
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Rhodri Morgan, dated 7 May 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what arrangements are being made for traffic pending the completion of the new M49.
Traffic will continue to use the existing M5 to Junction 18 (Almondsbury) and the M4 until the M49, which will join the M5 (Junction 18) to the Second Severn Crossing at Pilning, is opened.