Canal Bridges and Modern Traffic Needs.
Page 47
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THE. highways committee of the Warwick County Council has had under consideration the position which has arisen with regard to the future maintenance of canal bridges 'carrying county main roads. In April a letter was received from the Birmingham Canal Navigations Co. pointing out that these bridges, which were adequate to accommodate the traffic at the time they were constructed, were not designed to carry the 'present heavy traffic using the roads.
The canal company states that it intends to test the various bridges in the county, for the maintenance of which it is responsible, and to affix notices where necessary restricting the use of such bridges to vehicles of specified maximum weights. Minton Wharf 'Bridge has already been dealt with in this way. It is also suggested that the bridges should be taken over by the authorities, the roads of which they carry, on terms to he agreed upon,, having regard to the canal company's existing pecuniary liability.
The highways committee utterstands that the canal company is responsible for the maintenance of these bridges only so far as the carrying of such loads not exceeding those for which they were originally designed is concerned, and that it cannot be compelled to, bring them up to the standard necessary for carrying the much heavier modern traffic. On. the other hand, the county council, as the highway authority, is not liable for their reconstruction to suit modern requirements, as the bridges have not been taken over. It would also appear that the canal company is within its rights in prohibiting the passage over its bridges of vehicles beyond a certain maximum weight.
This factor causes the highways committee pinch apprehension on account of the effect it will have on heavy traffic if the company insists upon restricting the use of the bridges to such loads as they are, theoretically, capable of carrying. The committee is strongly of opinon that in 110..circumqances could it agree to take over the bridges' except on the mist favourable, terms, and points out that the charge for blear: lug up the anomalous position which now exists should be a national One.
. Some concerted action by all the local authorities, in the Midlands is considered desirable, with a view to laying before the Ministry of Transport the importance' of the problem, which it seems srortly will, of necessity, have to be faced, and with a view to securing the greatest possible assistance from the Road Fund.
The Minister of Transport has already received a deputation from the local chambers of commerce and has stated that if the Midland local authorities will prepare a scheme it will—subject to its approval of the .scheme---be prepared to make a grant towards the cost of putting the bridges into a state to meet modern requirements. It was suggested that such contribution' might be between a maximum of 65 per .Cent. of the total cost and a minimum of 50 per cent. This proportion is, in the committee's opinion, inadequate. The county council has appointed a special sub-committee to take what steps are deemed advisable in the matter.