Opposition to Bridge Restrictions
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THE British Road Federation has a powerful case against the bringing into force of restrictions on bridges without the closest investigation and consideration of the interests not only of vehicle operators, but of the public, which would be greatly and gravely inconvenienced in many ways.
The results of those bridge conferences already held have shown clearly that the highway authorities in the various municipalities thioughout the country have realized the deadliness of this menace to road transport in particular, and the community in general.
The majority of the bridges concerned is railway-owned, and it is a striking indication of their attitude in this matter that the railway representatives have, in a number of instances, expressed their inability to supply detailed information regarding the carrying capacity of important bridges which it is proposed to restrict. The finding of alternative routes is not always a practical solution to the difficulty. Many may include weak bridges, and in the case of bus services such routes would often be quite unsuitable and deprive villages and communities of their only means for transport, because many residential areas are often untouched by railways and served only by buses.
In numerous parts of the country, considerable use of the highway has to be made by threshing engines, road rollers, and steam ploughs, whilst cable tackle must be employed for cleaning out reservoirs for town water supply. The weight limits proposed for bridges would, in many cases, render it impossible to operate such appliances, and would thus materially affect the prospects of the agriculturists and the supply of clean water. The last-named is of vital importance, particularly in view of the inadequacy which has already shown itself.