Clause 3. — (Further Powers of Local Highway Authorities to Construct Bridges over and Tunnels Under Navigable Waters.)

Part of Orders of the Day — Highways (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 23 June 1961.

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Photo of Mr William Aitken Mr William Aitken , Bury St Edmunds 12:00, 23 June 1961

The purpose of the first Amendment is to enable schemes for the construction of bridges or tunnels over or under navigable waters to be made by two or more authorities jointly. Hon. Members who took part in the Committee stage will remember that a new Clause was introduced which gave further powers to local authorities to construct bridges, tunnels or roads over navigable waters. The Amendment will enable local authorities to make joint arrangements between themselves determining their respective responsibility for the various highway functions in connection with a bridge or tunnel.

As Clause 3 was originally drafted, provision was made only for a single authority to make a scheme. But, as it very often happens that navigable rivers form the boundaries between local authorities, it is quite usual for local authorities on either side of the boundary to promote schemes for bridges and tunnels as joint enterprises.

I do not think there is anything startling about the Amendment. I hope that it will be accepted. The other two Amendments are consequential on the first.