Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, in respect of the Forth Road Bridge, the amount of Government grant towards the cost of construction, the proportion of the grant to the total cost, the estimated annual revenue which will accrue to the Exchequer from the charging of tolls, and if there is any provision for the cesser of tolls.
§ Mr. RossThe Government grant of £4.65 million amounts to about 24 per cent. of the cost of the Forth Road Bridge. The balance of revenue after certain prior charges have been met will be applied to the service of the Government loan of about £14.5 million: but until there is experience of summer traffic any estimate of the annual payment to the Exchequer must be speculative.
As provided by the Forth Road Bridge Order, 1958, the Joint Board may charge tolls for only 30 years from the date of the opening of the bridge: this period may be extended for further periods by an Order made by the Secretary of State: and tolls shall not cease until the continued operation and maintenance of the bridge have been adequately provided for.