§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the toll bridges and tunnels in England and Wales, and in each case the toll charges, gross revenue, the cost of operation, the cost of collection, the annual interest charges, the dates when the tolls were last changed and by how much, and the original cost of construction.
§ Mr. MulleyThe information is not readily available, and to obtain it would cost a disproportionate amount of time and money. The following table shows the broad position in respect of the major tolled bridges and tunnels in England constructed or partly constructed during the last 20 years. Ministerial responsibility for tolled crossings in Wales rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
299W300W
Crossing Construction Cost Gross Revenue 1972–73 Operation and Collection Costs 1972–73 Annual Interest Charge 1973–73 Toll Charges £m. £m. £m. £m. Severn Bridge … … 12.8 1.19 0.23 0.98 Cars and lorries 12p Motor cycles 5p Dartford Tunnel … … 11.4 1.42 0.34 0.44 Vehicles not exceeding 30 cwt. 12½p Vehicles exceeding 30 cwt. 20–30p Motor cycles 5p Cycles 2½p Tyne Tunnel … … 14.7 0.78 0.36 0.94 Cars 12½p Heavy goods vehicles 20p Motor cyles 5p Mersey Tunnels— Vehicles not exceeding 2 tons unladen 15p Birkenhead Tunnel … … 8.0 3.27 1.11 1.32 Vehicles 2–5 tons unladen 40p Wallasey Tunnel (1st Tube) … … 25.3 Vehicles exceeding 5 tons including Public Service Vehicles 50p Vehicles not exceeding 2 tons and trailer 30p Vehicles exceeding 2 tons and trailer £1 Motor cycles 5p Tamar Bridge … … 2.9 0.48 0.095 0.082 Cars 10p Heavy goods vehicles 25–45p Coaches 45p Motor cycles 2½p Cycles 1p