§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect that the charge for lorries using the M6 toll road will have on lorry movements on the non-tolled M6 motorway. [130970]
§ Mr. JamiesonSince the announcement of the toll prices the Highways Agency have not carried out any assessment.
Following the opening of the Toll Road, the Highways Agency in conjunction with the Concessionaire will carry out a review of flows along the adjacent network together with flows on the toll road.
Under all charging scenarios, the net relief to the M6 was forecast to be quite small. Long distance through traffic which transfers onto the M6 Toll, which represents about one third of M6 traffic, will release capacity on the M6 which will be taken up by local traffic, thus providing significant relief to many local roads.
§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers he has to alter the charges for using the M6 toll road. [130971]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Secretary of State has no powers to alter the charges. Under the terms of the concession agreement signed in 1992, the Concessionaire (Midland Expressway Ltd.) is responsible for all aspects of the M6 toll's operation, including the level of tolls.
§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he had with the private operator of the M6 toll road over the setting of the initial charges for users; and what representations he made to the operator. [130972]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe concession agreement places no obligation on the Concessionaire to consult with the Secretary of State before setting toll charges. Under the terms of the concession agreement signed in 1992, the Concessionaire (Midland Expressway Ltd.) is responsible for all aspects of the M6 toll's operation, including the level of tolls.