§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the numbers and types of vehicles using Dunham Toll Bridge on the A57 over the River Trent; what total of money is paid out annually by road users there; what is his estimate of the cost to public funds of building a new bridge or acquiring the existing bridge by compulsory purchase from the owners; and whether he will hold consultations with the owners with a view to the introduction of a system of season tickets for regular users.
§ Mr. Graham PageDaily traffic averages 2,900 cars, 450 heavy goods vehicles, 375 light goods vehicles, 125 motorcycles and 50 public service vehicles. Annual revenue is probably about £85,000. A new bridge and approaches would cost over £2 million to construct; compensation for acquisition of the bridge would need to be negotiated. The introduction of a season ticket system is entirely a matter for the Dunham Bridge Company.