HC Deb 18 May 1992 vol 208 cc29-30W
17. Mr. Jon Owen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to take powers to enable him to reduce toll charges on the Severn bridge.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

We have no plans to seek any powers in relation to the bridge beyond those contained in the Severn Bridges Act 1992.

Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in 1992 about(a) toll increases on the Severn bridge and (b) interruptions to travel across the bridge; on how many days since 1 January travel has been (i) wholly prevented and (ii) impeded by repairs or weather conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

My Department has received this year some 40 letters about the toll increases provided for in the Severn Bridges Act 1992. We have had a smaller number of letters about delays on the bridge.

The bridge has not been closed to traffic at any time this year. High winds have caused operating restrictions on five days. Delays to traffic in excess of 10 minutes due to strengthening and resurfacing work have occurred on five days.

The Severn bridge provides substantial benefits to users and to the Welsh economy. The early provision by the private sector of a second crossing will reinforce those benefits. I know that Severn River Crossing plc attaches much importance to minimising delays at the existing bridge.