The New Bridge Across the Severn.
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THE scheme to construct a road bridge across the River Severn from Beachley (Mon.) to Aust (Glos.) VMS formally adopted by ameeting of representatives of local authorities, trade organizations and others held at Chepstow on September 15th. The importance of the scheme to commercial motor users, by virtue of the big road mileage which would be saved to users of vehicles travelling from parts of England to South Wales, was dealt with in our issue of August 28th. Not the least interesting of the announcements made at the meeting was that the Great Western Railway Co. had already prepared plans for the construction of a railway bridge at the spot selected for the proposed road bridge. The company intimated that, • in the event of certain grants being made by the Government for the construction of a joint road and rail bridge, they were prepared wholly to scrap the Severn Tunnel for transportation, the inadequacy of the tunnel to meet the present
B24 day traffic needs having been recognized.
Mr. J. W. Twinherrow, civil engineer, stated that a scheme for a road bridge was practicable, and he had worked for some time on the question. A scheme had been prepared at an estimated cost of one and a half millions and .hatt already been submitted. The G.W.R. Co. had already prepared their plans for a railway bridge. The railway company were not agreeable to the construction of a swing bridge, but wanted a highlevel bridge that would not interfere with ships proceeding to Sharpness.
Mr. Forestier-Walker, M.P., moved the appointment of a deputation to the G.W.R. Co. in order to endeavour to agree upon plans for a joint structure, and afterwards to proceed to the Ministries of Transport and Labour for the necessary 'grants. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff seconded, and it was decided, failing agreement with the railway company, to proceed with applications for grants for the erection of a separate road bridge.
Mr a Ben Tillett, M.P., speaking ae a Transport Union men's representative, said. that the. failure of the *Severn Tunnel during the war had necessitated the institution and development of other forms -of transport. The tunnel was doomed and the company appreciated it had reached the maximum traffic which it could carry. In war time, he said, it had been found a vital bottle-neck and had become clogged ,with traffic. The need for bringing .London nearer to South Wales'and the mining and metal centres made the construction of a road bridge limperative, and Labour would support the proposal.
The deputation to the G.W.R. Co. and the Ministries was appointed as follows. —091.''Curre (chairMan), the chairmen of Monmouthshive and Gloucestershire County Councils, Lord Mayor of Cardiff, two representatives to be nominated by the Lord Mayor of Bristol, the Mayors of Newport and Monmouth, Mr. W. C. Thomas, Mx. L. F'orestier-Walher, 14I.P., and Mr. Ben Tillett,