Welsh Tories to call for devolution of Severn crossings
WELSH Conservatives are today calling for control of the Severn crossing to be devolved.
The Shadow Minister for Transport, South Wales West member Byron Davies, was due to announce the policy to a forum of hauliers and Freight Transport Association representatives.
Mr Davies was there to launch plans to consult on an appropriate way forward for use of the bridge tolls following devolution. The group will put forward three options for discussion.
These are: retaining the current toll and injecting collected money into future infrastructure projects across Wales; a lower, flat rate, maintenance only toll; and a lower toll and using money collected for both maintenance and future infrastructure projects.
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"The Severn Crossings are a hugely significant economic lever that I believe should rest firmly in the hands of the Welsh people," said Mr Davies. "Devolution of the crossings — and future use of the tolls — has the real potential to help hard-pressed motorists, provide significant investment in Welsh infrastructure and encourage economic growth."
5 Comments
by Neathboy234
Friday, March 15 2013, 7:57PM
“Zoomer don't worry yourself, the bridge is due to come back into public ownership around 2017”
by JerryLew
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:03PM
“Figures and text on Wikipedia...
As of November 2010, Severn River Crossing Plc was owned
35% John Laing, British developer infrastructure operator
35% Vinci, French concessions and construction company
15% Bank of America, American multinational banking and financial services corporation
15% Barclays Capital, British multinational investment bank[9]
The company's 2011 annual report showed the same companies still owned, through subsidiary companies, all the issued ordinary share capital of the Plc.[10]
Ownership of the crossing and the original Severn Bridge will return to the UK government when the project's required revenue, as defined in the Concession Agreement with the Secretary of State for Transport, has been collected.[10] In 2010, the concession was expected to end in 2017.[11] In 2012, changes were made to the agreement to reflect the effect of changes in VAT and Corporation Tax and the costs of installing credit card handling systems. The net effect was to increase the required revenue from £995.83 million to £1,028.91 million in 1989 prices”
by Zoomer
Friday, March 15 2013, 11:46AM
“And how do the French owners of the bridge feel about having their bridge pinched ? Anyone asked them ?”
by JerryLew
Friday, March 15 2013, 10:58AM
“Why are disabled badge holders and motorcycles given free crossing? Cant see the logic there.”
by Dan01
Friday, March 15 2013, 10:32AM
“Well Well ! The Tories jumping on Plaid's bandwagon now. Labour have been hijacking Plaid's policies at Cardiff Bay since the last election. Is it a case of if you can't beat them, join them. Just as well vote for Plaid in future then and cut out the 'middle man'.”