HC Deb 13 January 1986 vol 89 cc761-2
10. Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what factors he intends to take into account in meeting the demands for additional crossing capacity at Dartford on the M25; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

My right hon. Friend will make these clear soon in an invitation to promoters to make proposals for a third crossing at Dartford.

Mr. Proctor

Is my hon. Friend aware that that additional capacity at Dartford is urgently required? Will he take into account the fact that the present tolls on the Dartford tunnel will pay off the capital costs by the early 1990s and that it would be inappropriate for tolls to continue after that date?

Mr. Mitchell

I agree that the matter is becoming urgent, but consideration as to whether tolls should be applied thereafter would depend upon the method by which any additional crossing was financed.

Mr. Cartwright

Does the hon. Gentleman intend that only the third crossing will be privately owned and operated, or is it the Government's longer-term intention that the whole Dartford tunnel complex will be transferred from public to private hands?

Mr. Mitchell

It would not be precisely as the hon. Gentleman has suggested, but more the latter than the former.

Mr. Squire

May I underline to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Proctor), that throughout most of the day the flow of traffic in either direction through the two Dartford tunnels is much higher than they were ever intended to carry? Even when the east London river crossing is constructed—if it is constructed—the central problem of Dartford will not be resolved.

Mr. Mitchell

I accept that capacity is important. It is one of the crucial factors in assessing the promotors' proposals, which we shall be inviting.