IS SHEPPEY BRIDGE SAFE?
Gordon Henderson has demanded assurances that the new Sheppey Crossing will not be closed down because of safety concerns.
The demand follows news that Kent Police have written to the Ministry of Transport and the Health & Safety Executive criticising the state of the bridge. Concerns have been raised that as a “cost saving exercise” the Government failed to install basic safety measures on the bridge, including; lighting, emergency telephones, and a hard shoulder. It also been reported that the safety barriers on the bridge are too low and are not strong enough to withstand the impact of a lorry.
Gordon said:
‘I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. This Government has cocked up every major project that it has undertaken. It is typical that they appear to have spoiled the ship for ten penny worth of tar.
‘Of course, Islanders know that the Government tried to get the bridge on the cheap. If they had any understanding of the problems we have faced they would have ensured that construction work did not take place during the rush hour, instead of which we have had to put up with two years of traffic chaos. But changing the work pattern would have cost more and we obviously were not worth it.
‘Now, just when the lives of Sheppey’s commuters have been made more tolerable, we could have it snatched from us. My big fear is that an accident at the wrong time will see the bridge closed for a lengthy period, causing even more chaos.
‘I would like an assurance from the Ministry of Transport that they have undertaken a risk assessment on the bridge and are confident that the absence of lights, emergency telephones and a hard shoulder will not put at risk the lives of motorists using the bridge.
‘I would also like an assurance that they have assessed the impact of a lorry on the Swale side crash barriers, because if they are not strong enough to withstand such an impact, it would not only present a potential tragic threat to lorry drivers, but it could also lead to a lengthy closure of the bridge.
‘I would like to know was contingency has been made to prevent this happening.’
…ends…..