§ Mr. JesselTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was(a) the total cost to public funds of constructing the Humber bridge (i) in capital costs and (ii) in accumulated revenue losses, (b) the amount of revenue loss in each of the last five years, (c) the charge for each vehicle crossing in each year since construction and (d) the number of vehicles of different types of vehicle crossing in each year; who pays the losses in respect of the bridge currently; what powers exist to control who pays the losses and what options are available under present legislation; and what changes he plans. [6161]
§ Mr. WattsThe cost of constructing the Humber bridge was met out of loans from the Department of
Class June 1981 to 31 December 1985 £ 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1987 £ 1 January 1988 6 August 1989 £ 7 August 1989 to present £ 1) Motorcycles 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.70 2) Private cars and light vans 1.00 1.20 1.50 1.60 3) Cars and light vans with trailers 2.00 2.40 2.90 2.90 4) Heavy commercial vehicles class A–2 axles 4.50 5.20 5.20 6.50 5) Class B–3 axles 6.00 6.60 6.60 8.70 6) Class C–4 or more axles 7.50 8.00 8.00 10.90 7) Light commercial vehicles and minibuses 2.00 2.40 2.90 Merged with class three 8) Buses and coaches 4.50 5.20 5.20 Merged with class four The number of vehicles using the crossing in each of those classes is:
Description 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 Motor-cycles 44,070 44,554 46,073 47,514 Cars and light vans 4,493,922 4,740,806 4,958,937 5,081,583 Cars and light vans with trailers (includes mini buses and light comm.) 169.393 179,654 182,789 186,959 Heavy comm. 2 axles (includes service buses and coaches) 139,427 141,291 144,120 143,305 Heavy comm. 3 axles 27,296 27,922 28,941 30,538 Heavy comm. 4+ axles 229,108 228,732 253,623 257,799 Heavy comm. sub total 395,831 397,945 426,684 431,642 Exempt vehicles 118,023 127,563 141,134 161.272 Total 5,221,239 5,490,522 5,755.617 5,908,970 Under the present legislation, any deficits may be met by a precept upon three of the local authorities of Humberside. The Humber Bridge (Debts) Bill currently before Parliament will enable the Secretary of State to write off and suspend parts of that debt and so lift the risk of a substantial burden falling upon local council tax payers.