Severn Bridge

Mr. Roy Hughes
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount collected in tolls on the Severn bridge in the last full financial year for which figures are available; what was the cost of collection; and what percentage this is of the overall amount collected.

Mrs. Chalker
The information requested is as follows.--------------------
|                  |
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|Tolls levied      |
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|Cost of collection|
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|Percentage        |
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Tolls received have been less than in 1982–83 due to traffic management restrictions on the bridge. For 17 days all east-bound traffic travelled toll free in order that there was no back up on the bridge itself.

Mr. Roy Hughes
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the original total cost of constructing the Severn bridge; and what percentage of the accumulated interest charges remains outstanding.

Mrs. Chalker
£14·4 million, and 72 per cent. at 31 March 1984. The components of the £14·4 million construction cost are detailed in the published account 1966–67.