Progressive Labour Party MPs launched an all out attack on the subject of repair work at Somerset Bridge during last night's Motion to Adjourn.

And Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge gave a physical display on the floor of the House of Assembly in his own defence.

Sandys South MP Walter Roberts kicked off the debate initially praising Mr.

Woolridge.

"I have to congratulate the Minister of Works and Engineering for finally seeing the light of day and doing something about Somerset Bridge.'' But Mr. Roberts recalled being shown plans of the proposed new bridge in December and being told that work would start on the project in January.

He claimed he was told that the new bridge would be finished by April and that traffic would be diverted over a Bailey bridge.

However work did not begin until April, a causeway was built for traffic to go over and work was now not scheduled to finish until much later, he said.

Meanwhile the water throughway was blocked and the causeway was certain to damage the marine environment, said Mr. Roberts.

He said he recognised the bridge was in a bad state of repair but expressed concern that work was not started earlier when there would have been minimal marine traffic wanting to go through it, minimal visitors wishing to see it and when it would have a minimal effect on the businesses and people of Sandys.

Mr. Roberts also called on Mr. Woolridge to have department engineers improve the sight line for marine operators travelling back and forth through the bridge.

And he requested warning lights be set up on the roads approaching the bridge as added safety measures for vehicle traffic.

Sandys North MP Eugene Cox echoed his colleague's remarks.

Opposition Shadown Minister Walter Lister asked why it had taken Government so long to do anything about the bridge if it was aware that it had been deteriorating over the past 30 years.

Mr. Woolridge told the House: "This is not a political issue. This is an issue of safety.

"No-one is more concerned about people and the environment than I am and no-one is more concerned with safety than I am.'' And he produced a piece of wood he claimed came from the bridge itself and crumbled it in his hand to show how unsafe it was.

He apologised to all the people who relied on the water throughway but noted: "Safety is my main concern. I am worried about the possible loss of lives.'' Every bit of material that went in the water to build the causeway would be removed, promised Mr. Woolridge.

The plans he had shown people back in December were conceptual drawings not the definitive drawings, he added. How could work have ever started in January if the plans were not finalised, he asked.

A one-way Bailey Bridge system would have caused massive traffic backups, he continued, while a two-way Bailey Bridge system to allow for proper traffic flow would have been twice as expensive and would have required the construction of a massive concrete pillar for support.

All the work would be done by July 12, he said, before adding: "We are already a week ahead of schedule.''