<p>Tolling Arrangements on the Severn Bridge </p>

1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure – in the Senedd on 5 October 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mark Reckless Mark Reckless UKIP

(Translated)

8. When does the Minister expect tolling arrangements on the Severn Bridges to revert to the public sector? OAQ(5)0040(EI)

Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:16, 5 October 2016

I understand that the UK Government intend to go out to consultation later this year on tolling arrangements.

Photo of Mark Reckless Mark Reckless UKIP

They are reverting from the private sector to the public sector. My own understanding was the fourth quarter, and I was hoping to have an update on that—the fourth quarter of next year. The Treasury has said that, despite the bridge then being paid for, it plans to continue to have a toll, partly, it says, to repay a debt that it purports to be owed on the bridge. Can the Cabinet Secretary say when that purported debt will be paid off and if he agrees with me that, at that point, the toll should be abolished?

Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour

Yes, I do. Subject to the consultation, the bridge reverts to public ownership in 2018, and once the debt has been repaid, all revenues will then go to the Exchequer—above the maintenance costs. That, to me, constitutes a tax on travel to Wales, and I would expect the tolls to be abolished.