The Severn Crossings Toll

The Welsh Affairs Committee considers the impact of the Severn Crossings Toll on the economy of South Wales and beyond. The Severn Crossings are seen as a vital link for the people and business located in South Wales and beyond. In the Committee's view, while the Crossings, currently managed by Severn River Crossings Plc, bring many valuable benefits including reduced journey times and improved access to customers and suppliers, there is a perception that the high cost of the toll represents a barrier to business. The Committee found that much evidence about the toll's impact is anecdotal and recommends that empirical evidence should be gathered about the economic impact of the toll on both sides of the border. The report is also critical that the inflexibility of the Severn Crossings Act does not allow the toll to be reduced without the taxpayer bearing the cost and is disappointed that it has not proved possible for the Toll to be frozen for 2011. The report concludes that the end of the concession projected for 2017, provides an opportunity to re-examine the pricing policy for the Severn Crossings. The Committee argues that once the bridge returns to public ownership and its current debt is paid off, the cost of maintenance and toll operation will be a fraction of the current monies raised by the toll charges and concludes that there is a strong case for significantly reducing the cost of the toll.

Problems with key M4 transport route continue to risk damage to Welsh economy. The route has suffered from under-investment and congestion for too long. The UK and Welsh Governments must work together to find attainable, funded solutions to these problems. The Committee also says the high toll on the Severn Crossing is still hampering the development of businesses in Wales and deterring inward investment to Wales and the UK Government should bring forward proposals for reducing it. The Committee also welcomes the new investment in cross-border rail links into Wales but the exclusion of South Wales from the HS2 proposals means businesses and people may relocate eastwards across the border. The development of a high speed rail link from Wales to England would be an important boost to the Welsh economy and help to achieve the aim of successive Governments of rebalancing the UK economy. There are good examples of joint working between the two governments to secure improvements to strategic cross-border routes, and especially welcome is the almost £2 billion of rail investment on the electrification of the Great Western Main Line and a proposed new rail link to Heathrow Airport. But the Committee says it is unclear why the Welsh Government should be entitled to a "Barnett" consequential payment in respect of the Crossrail project but not HS2. It also notes that rail connectivity between North and Mid Wales and England has been overlooked for too long and calls for more frequent rail connections from Mid Wales to England.

Enabling power: Severn Bridges Act 1992, ss. 9 (1) (2) (b) (3) (b) (4) (6). Issued: 19.12.2016. Made: 12.12.2016. Laid: -. Coming into force: 01.01.2017. Effect: S.I. 2015/2030 revoked. Territorial extent & classification: E. Local

A lavishly illustrated pictorial history of the iconic Severn crossings.

The award-winning -u300 million privately funded Second Severn Crossing opened on time and to budget in June 1996. The new 5 km crossing - just south of the 30-year-old Severn Bridge - carries a further six lanes of the M4 motorway over the treacerous Severn Estuary. The papers in this special issue are written by engineers from the Anglo-French design and construction joint venture and will cover project management, planning and construction logistics, design-construction interfaces, marine operations and construction of the central 456m cable-stayed bridge and 45-span precaset concrete approach viaducts.

Enabling power:Severn Bridges Act 1992, s. 9 (2) (6).. Issued:06.01.93.. Made:03.12.92.. Coming into force:01.01.93.. Effect:S.I. 1992/577 revoked.. Territorial extent & classification:E/W. Local