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Bridges And Tunnels

Volume 76: debated on Wednesday 3 April 1985

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asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list such information as he has for the Severn, Humber, Forth, Tay, Itchen, Cleddau and Tamar bridges and the Mersey, Tyne and Dartford tunnels, the total capital repayment to be made by the bridge authority, and the time scale for repayment, the annual upkeep costs and any central Government revenue provided for these costs.

The information requested is given in the table. Central Government do not make annual contributions to revenue; they do provide loans to meet capitalisation of interest where the legislation so provides. The position on central Government loans outstanding is shown in the tabulation.

Tolled crossings
Total capital repayment at 31 March 1984Period for repaymentOperating and maintenance costs 1983–84Central Government loans at 31 March 1984
£ millionYears£ million£ million
Severn*46·140*2·60*46·1
Humber210·0600·74160·5
Forth21·8301·1021·8
Tay6·7600·313·0
Itchen10·9Between 40·600·17
Cleddau7·3Between 50·600·123·6
Tamar0·59
Mersey88·6603·7027·7
Tyne21·2301·2614·8
Dartford66·2602·286·5
* Publication of the 1983–84 account awaited.
The period for repayment is different for land and construction costs at Itchen and Cleddau. Repayment periods are extendable in certain cases.