A TUNNEL SCHEME TO CONNECT HULL WITH LINCOLNSHIRE.
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THERE are few schemes that are calculated to effect a wider revolutionizing process with regard to road transport arrangements than that which has been recently put forward by the Hull Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shhrping for connecting the great Yorkshire port with Lincolnshire territory by means of a tunnel. Tinder the present lack of plans a dead-end is reached either at Hull or Grimsby, an intolerable Waste of time being involved in crossing the Humber, which would be obviated by building a tunnel.
Although the idea is by no means new, it has lain dormant for a very long time until within the past few weeks, when a revival of interest has been stimulated by a communication which has been forwarded by the Hull Chamber to the chief. Lincolnshire public authority concerned, the Lindsey County Council, asking the extent to which that body is prepared to co-operate in pressing the matter upon the consideration of the London and North Eastern Railway Co.
There is no insuperable engineering difficultr involved in the carrying out of the work, but certain preliminary considerations have of necessity been raised
B40 as to the exact scope of the project, the principal point to be determined being whether such a tunnel is to be limited to railway or road tranSport, or to be made available for both.
_There are some people who, although not voicing opposition to the proposal, have put forward the objection that if the tunnel is to be designed for road communication only, the expense devoiving upon the county. authority to meet the cost of road repairs will he enormously increased. The objection upon this score takes no heed of the possible recompense which might be gathered from those who would reap the benefit front such facilities. .
The chairman of the finance committee of the Lindsey County Council (Mr. 3. Forrester), speaking at the last assembly of that body at Lincoln, whilst favouring such increased facilities as the proposed tunnel is calculated to .afford, expressed strenuous opposition to the council making any contribution to 'the cost. That, however, he plainly confessed was not because he disapproved of the project, but for the simple reason' that at the present time the council could not afford it.. The hope was, however, expressed by Mr. G. Canty, another representative member of the council, who took a broader view of the subject, that the highways committee would consider the suggestion very favourably. It was not a question, he painted out, affecting merely the banks of the Humber or Hull in particular, but was a matter involving through means of communication between. the Midlands and the whole of the North-East of England. Moreover, he did not think that the question of contribution would affect the Lindsey Council very much.
H a tunnel is to be provided to serve the purpose of road transport, as well as railway traffic, it is obvious, as pointed out by the chairman of the Lindsey Council, that someone will have to bear the cost of maintenance resulting from further heavy traffic upon the roads.
Mr. Canty suggested that this might ultimately become a . national charge. The matter -ha,s been left in the hands of the highways committee, which is to send representatives to the .meeting at which the project is to be discussed, . as suggested by the Hull Chamber..