§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the tolls at the Dartford tunnels to be increased; how that increase will be calculated; and what the new rates are likely to be.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIf the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Bill currently before Parliament receives Royal Assent by 30 June, I expect that tolls at the Dartford tunnels will be increased with effect from 1 September 1988.
Clause 17 of the Bill sets a limit to the size of toll increases. The limit is calculated by applying the percentage movement in the retail prices index (RPI) between December 1985 and the base month of each year (normally June), to the toll rates in force on 1 January 1986. Tolls were last increased on 1 January 1984. The June 1988 RPI will not be known until mid-July. I expect that, on current trends, the toll rates will be as set out in the table. The rates in force on 1 January 1986 are shown in brackets.
£ £ Motorcycles 0.20 (0.20) Cars 0.70 (0.60) Light and medium goods vehicles 1.10 (1.00) Coaches: Heavy goods vehicles 1.80 (1.60) The construction of the new bridge, which the Bill would authorise, is planned to start on 1 August 1988.