§ 1. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement on the future of toll bridges.
The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Bob Brown)It remains my right hon. Friend's policy that major new estuarial crossings which will provide exceptional savings in cost and time to the users should be tolled. On the other hand, he has no proposals to change the present powers.
§ Mr. Gwilym RobertsOn a point of order. I am not sure whether something is wrong with the amplification or with my ears, but we do not seem to be hearing very well on this side of the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI cannot decide that dilemma. We must continue.
Mr. BrownI take note of the comment.
It remains my right hon. Friend's policy that major new estuarial crossings which 1180 will provide exceptional savings in cost and time to the users should be tolled. On the other hand, he has no proposals to change the present powers of highway authorities to acquire private toll rights under Section 233 of the Highways Act, 1959, but he should continue to expect each case to be considered on its merits in terms of cost and benefit to traffic.
§ Mr. MartenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are over 20 ancient toll bridges, the dues on which started some centuries ago? Is it not time that the Government looked at this again.
Mr. BrownWe are aware of the number of toll bridges and of the anomalies, but this is a matter for the highway authorities concerned.
§ Mr. AshtonWould the Minister consider making a compulsory purchase order for the toll bridge at Dunham-on-Trent on the A57 in Nottinghamshire? Is he aware that he would have the support of people throughout the country if he were to take such a course because this piece of the main A57 road should belong to the people and not to a private individual?
Mr. BrownWithout going into the specific details of any individual project, I simply reiterate that once we get a proposition from a highway authority we look at it on its merits.