Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date, at present rates of toll, payment for the Severn bridge will be completed; what that date would be if tolls increased each year at 3 per cent.; and what the annual income would be estimated to be in the final year(a) at present toll rates and (b) at 3 per cent. compound increases in toll rates.
§ Mr. ChopeAt present rates of toll it is estimated, making a range of assumptions about future traffic growth and inflation, that the debt of the Severn bridge could be paid off between the years 2008 and 2016 with income in the final year of between £27 million and £29 million. An assumed 3 per cent. per annum increase in tolls would be entirely hypothetical.