§ 4. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Transport whether he will now take over the underwater crossings of the River Mersey as a national trunk road commitment.
§ Mr. TilneySince the four London bridges, the Blackwall Tunnel and, I believe, the new Thamesmead Tunnel are trunk roads, why do Her Majesty's Government end the trunk system on either side of the Mersey Tunnel, which penalises the ratepayers of Merseyside?
Mr. BrownThe question of trunk road status depends on the volume of trunk road traffic. The Mersey Tunnel is in the centre of a large conurbation and, therefore, is very poorly placed for through traffic. A high proportion of the tunnel traffic is generated locally. There is not a case for trunk road status.
§ Mr. HefferDoes my hon. Friend agree that this is a mater of long standing and not a new question? Does he agree that the Government should have a further look at this question in order that perhaps over a period of time there could be a phasing out of the toll system and ultimately these roads should become national trunk roads?
Mr. BrownIf traffic volumes and the generation of traffic were to alter, clearly my right hon. Friend would consider this matter, but the question of tolls is not affected by the question of trunking or not.