To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether the Department plans to bring forward proposals to amend the Severn Bridges Act 1992 to enable the toll over the Severn Bridge to be paid via means other than cash; and if he will make a statement. (309228)

Detailed discussions for providing credit and debit card facilities as a method of payment are continuing with the concessionaire.

Once all negotiations are complete, the project to introduce card payments at the Severn Crossings can be progressed.

In parallel with the negotiations with the concessionaire, the necessary amendments to secondary legislation to permit debit and credit card payments are being prepared.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether his Department plans to authorise the annual inflationary increase for the Severn Bridges toll price from April 2010; and if he will make a statement. (309356)

The Severn Bridges Toll Order 2009 was made on 16 December 2009 and came into force on 1 January 2010. This order sets the toll rates for the calendar year.

The toll rates for 2010 were announced by Severn River Crossing plc. on 18 December 2009.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when his Department plans to make an announcement on the annual inflationary increase in the Severn Bridges toll price from April 2010; and if he will make a statement. (309357)

New toll rates come into effect on 1 January each year and reflect changes to the retail price index (RPI). For 2010 they also reflect the restoration of the 17.5 per cent. VAT rate.

The Severn Bridges Toll Order 2009 was made on 16 December 2009 and came into force on 1 January 2010. The toll rates for 2010 were announced by Severn River Crossing plc. on 18 December 2009.