Asked by: Luke Hall (Conservative - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government plans to collect any excess funds from the continuation of the Severn Bridge toll in 2018 beyond that which is expected to be spent on the necessary infrastructure for its eventual removal.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
There are a number of costs in addition to those incurred by the Government during the concession period, which include decommissioning and cessation of tolling, toll booth removal, highways realignment and specialist resurfacing work. Based on analysis of past traffic flow, the revenue to be received from a charging before abolition at the end of 2018 is predicted to be sufficient to cover such costs.
Asked by: Luke Hall (Conservative - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what modelling the Government has conducted on the potential effect on traffic on nearby roads of the removal of the Severn Bridge tolls.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Prior to the Severn Crossings consultation in 2017 the Government undertook modelling to assess the impact of the policy to continue tolling at a reduced rate, and on the possible option of free-flow tolling. The modelling used a version of the M4-CAN traffic model extended to take account of the impact of changes in tolls on both the South West of England and Wales and included estimates of wider economic impacts consistent with DfT Transport Appraisal Guidance.
The Government announced on 21 July 2017 that it was removing tolls by the end of 2018. No further modelling was undertaken by the Department for Transport on this specific option.
Asked by: Luke Hall (Conservative - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to ensure that adequate infrastructure is in place to cope with the potential increased traffic flow caused by the removal of the Severn Bridge toll.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Government is looking at the investment needs of the South West as part of the next round of the Roads Investment Strategy (RIS), as part of its commitment to improving journeys across the UK.
Asked by: Luke Hall (Conservative - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Government plans for the Severn Bridge toll to be removed entirely.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government will abolish charging on the Severn bridges by the end of 2018.
Asked by: Luke Hall (Conservative - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Government has made of the potential benefits of the removal of the Severn Bridge toll to the surrounding communities and businesses in (a) South Gloucestershire, and (b) the South West.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
We do not have specific modelling results for South Gloucestershire or the South West for the wider economic benefits of removing the existing tolls.