§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will meet the Dartford Crossing operators to discuss the advantages of avoiding an increase in the toll being triggered under the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988. [6288]
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§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have no immediate plans to discuss with the operators of the Dartford Crossing changes to their current entitlement to toll increases in line with the RPI.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects tolling to end on the Dartford Crossing. [6282]
§ Ms JacksonThe current legislation requires tolling to end when the concessionaire has achieved its financial objectives and a fund for future maintenance has been accumulated. On current projections that point would be reached in 2001.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was(a) the total received in tolls on the Dartford Crossing and (b) the number of vehicles using the crossing in each year since 1988. [6284]
§ Ms JacksonThe information is as follows:
Year to Vehicles (000) Revenue (£000) 2 months to 30 September 1988 5,252 4,330 30 September 1989 28,735 26,642 30 September 1990 30,386 28,230 30 September 1991 29,361 29,952 30 September 1992 34,798 35,966 30 September 1993 37,385 40,952 30 September 1994 39,947 44,849 30 September 1995 42,557 48,320 30 September 1996 44,364 51,749