TOLLS ON M4
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GOVERNMENT proposals to levy tolls on part of the London-South Wales motorway (M4) have been presented to Parliament. The section concerned is the 24-mile stretch of the motorway which includes the Severn and Wye Bridges. A Government Bill has been presented because, although it is policy to charge tolls on new major river crossings, the Minister of Transport has no power to make such charges on any trunk road.
It is stressed that the Bill, if approved, will not give power to levy tolls on trunk roads elsewhere. The situation arises solely because new river crossings are involved.
Known as the Severn Bridge Toils Bill, the measure will give power to charge differential tolls on different classes of traffic using the bridges and the approaches to them, between Aust in Gloucestershire and Newhouse in Monmouthshire. There is also provision for the removal of vehicles which stop because of breakdown or emergency, and for payment of charges for removals.
The Severn Bridge project (incorporating the Beachley Viaduct and Wye Bridge) has cost £13m. If tolls are to cover costs of collection, bridge maintenance and amortization charges, an average annual income of about €1.100,000 must be guaranteed.
Jac k-i n-a-Box ?
E are only just taking the. Jack Report out to do something abow it. . . " Lord Lindgren, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, after accusing the Conservatives last week of putting the Report in a cupboard.
Travel Concessions Benefits A HOPE that the benefits of the Travel rA Concessions Bill would be given to others later was expressed by Lord I.indgren when the measure was given an unopposed Second Reading in the Lords last week.