§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the increase in the number of shadow road toll schemes to be made under the private finance initiative arrangements. [37862]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe only road scheme approved and being taken forward in England under private finance since May 1997 is the A13 Thames Gateway DBFO project. The payment mechanism for this project is being developed so that there will be no incentive to the operator to encourage commuting by car. The emphasis of the payment mechanism will be on efficient management of12W the road, to provide a good service for buses and Heavy Goods Vehicles, with scope for additional payments to reward a good safety record. We will consider whether it would be appropriate to take forward further DBFO projects in the context of the review of trunk roads in England which is currently underway.