§ 2.40 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied with the present progress of construction on new motorways; and whether they are considering introducing a system of tolls on these roads when completed.]
1153§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, our aim remains to have 1,000 miles in use by the early 1970's and, having regard to all the other requirements for public investment, this rate of progress is satisfactory. Our policy is that tolls should be charged on expensive new river crossings which will provide exceptional savings in cost and time to a clearly defined category of road user. But we do not intend that tolls should be charged elsewhere on motorways.
LORD ST. JUSTMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply may I just remind him that in Italy, where they have put tolls on all their autostradas, they appear to be having a great success? I am told that it is thought the entire cost of the latest addition to the Costa del Sol autostrada, which runs from Milan right down to Naples, will be covered within the next six years.
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, with the greatest respect to the noble Lord, I would suggest that our problems and those of Italy are quite different. In the main, the Italian roads have to deal with tourist traffic, whereas in these highly and densely populated islands the alternative routes from the motorways are considerable and the distances to be covered are much shorter.
LORD WALERANMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for what he has just said. Is it not clear that, as commercial and private vehicles pay so much a year, in one way or another, in tax and in maintenance, and on the construction of roads, we should be very glad to hear that the noble Lord thinks that tolls would not be right in this country?
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, that was also a factor in the decision to which my right honourable friend has come, but it is also a debatable one.