§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on public funding arrangements for approach roads and toll booths at the Dartford tunnel as a result of further progress on the M25 motorway through Essex.
§ Mrs. ChalkerA 100 per cent. grant was provided for the widening of the northern approach road, on which work was completed in November 1982. We are also providing further grants for a similar improvement to the southern approach road and for the enlargement of the toll plaza. The total cost of these works will be around £17 million.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many additional toll booths have been located at the Dartford tunnel in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNone. But we are providing a 100 per cent. grant for the enlargement of the toll plaza from the existing 12 toll booths to 20 booths with the infrastructure for a further four to be added as the Dartford tunnel joint committee thinks fit, making up to 24 in all or 12 in each direction. Work will be completed in 1985.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the need for an additional Thames crossing at Dartford as a consequence of further progress on the M25 motorway and additional traffic flows; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe management of the tunnel, and the initial consideration of the need for any further capacity, is the responsibility of the Dartford tunnel joint committee. The improvements now under way, with Government funding, will enable the tunnel to cope with expected M25 traffic flows for very many years. Once the entire motorway is completed traffic growth will be monitored so that the need for any future increase in capacity at Dartford can be discussed in good time with the committee.