An Important New Bridge Across the Severn.
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EIGHT months ago we intimated in our columns that a scheme for a road bridge over the River Severn was likely to be Considered by the authorities m territories bordering on the river. Some correspondence ensued in our columns as to the probable location of the bridge, for, whilst a bridge constructed at, Newnham would shorten the Bristol to South Wales journey by 12 miles, a similar construction at Beachley (Chepstow) to Aust (Glos.) would make a difference of 70 miles and bring London, by direct route, 40 miles nearer to South Wales.
The Beachley bridge would,however, be vastly more expensive to construct, but. it seems probable that a start upon such a bridge will not long be deferred.
The employment committee of Bristol and district, under they Ministry of Labour, has intimated that a bridge at one place or the 'other should be favourably considered. At Cliepstew a conference ,.of the following repreSentative bodies is being corrvened:—The Gloucester, Glamorgan and Monmouthshire County Councils, the borough and urban councils in localities adjoining the river, the R.A.C., the A.A., etc., and invitations have been extended to Sir' Allan .Smith (chairman, Industrial.Group of the House of Commons), Sir Percival Mor
ling, and preparatory negotiations with the Ministry of Transport are being carried out by Mr. L. Forestier Walker, M. P. • The, conference will be held -towards he end of September, and future meetings will be held at Cardiff, Newport and Bristol.
Whilst the Newnham scheme is favoured by smaller authorities as likely to be less costly, and to afford fewer engineering and constructional difficulties, the general body of opinion favours the erection of a bridge at Beachley. The extra cost which is likely to be involved if the latter suggestion is acted upon will, it is said, eventually be'more than balanced by the two or three hours which • will be saved by all motor vehicles, and, the corresponding decrease in wear and tear of roads due to. the.
lower mileage.
At present a motor vehicle takes over 3i hours to go from Chepstow to Bristol. If the Beachley bridge is constructed this would be reduced to 25 mins. The bulk of traffic to South Wales passes through Bristol from London, the South and West of England, and the 70-mile detour through Gloucester which is at present
necessary would only be reduced by 12 miles if a bridge is constructed at Newnham.
All Government departments are being canvassed for support of the scheme as a national necessity, and considerable grants are likely to be made
The location of the bridge is likely to be settled by the system under which local authorities have to bear, a portion of the cost. If the tentative suggestion made be carried,.the expenses incurred above the grant will be shared on the basis of rateable value and, population of districts which are served. South Wales, as the probable largest contributors, is likely, to insist on the Beachleyscheme. Meanwhile, great interest is being taken in the proposals by commercial and other interests associated with road transport.