§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Minister of Transport what was the extent of his Department's financial assistance towards the Severn Road Bridge in total; and how the total sum was made up.
Mr. Bob BrownAs a trunk road the full cost of the Severn Bridge, including access roads, was borne by the Ministry of Transport.
At 31st March, 1968 the capital cost (including interest capitalised during the construction period) was £14,301,419, details of which are given in the published Accounts (HC 207).
The cost is to be fully recovered by tolls over 40 years.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Minister of Transport what were the reasons for the different systems of financing the Severn and Forth Road Bridges.
Mr. Bob BrownThe arrangements for the Severn Bridge were made in accordance with the normal policy for recovering the cost of the bridge from tolls.
The arrangements made at an earlier date for the Forth Road Bridge, which were more favourable to the users, were negotiated with the responsible local authorities on a basis which took into account the different local circumstances.