§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he estimates that the costs of the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, Dartford will have been met through toll fees. [163832]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe financial break-even date was met on 31 March 2002. The legislation governing the Dartford Crossing (which includes the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge) allowed for tolls to be charged for a year after the financial break-even date to help build up a maintenance fund for the Crossing.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the toll is to be removed from the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, Dartford. [163833]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe power to charge a toll for the use of the Dartford Crossing (which includes the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge) expired on 31 March 2003.
Following a study and a public consultation, a road user charge under the provisions of the Transport Act 2000 was introduced on 1 April 2003 to help manage traffic at the Crossing.