Conservative MPs have warned that tolls could be introduced on the M25 through the “back door”. Shadow transport minister Greg Smith raised concerns that new rules could be used to charge motorists using the London Orbital Motorway.
The Highways (Financing) Bill aims to introduce a new funding model to deliver schemes such as the Lower Thames Crossing, which is being built with private investment. It permits tolling licences for new highways and improvements to trunk roads where the aim is to increase capacity, says The Standard.
However, Conservative MPs argue that nowhere in the Bill does it define what constitutes an increase in capacity and this could include relatively small upgrades, such as installing smart motorway cameras or replacing central reservations.
Ministers insist that only new big roads will be included in the plans, but Tory MPs said the Government’s impact assessment states the sweeping new powers could apply to future major highways investments.
During the Bill’s second reading in Parliament on Thursday, Mr Smith, MP for Mid-Buckinghamshire, told MPs that under the proposed rules, a licensing authority could grant a person or company permission to charge tolls on a specified road in return for securing works to maintain, operate or improve it.
“Why on earth have the Government drafted the Bill in a way that could feasibly allow charges to be imposed simply for using roads beyond the tolls?” he said.
“I fear we risk smuggling in charges on drivers through the back door, and are opening the door to the tolling of the M25 and beyond. The Government say only new big roads will be included, but they have failed to explain why the Bill allows new infrastructure to fall within the scope of tolling.
“The use of the term ‘infrastructure’ may paint a picture of an entirely new road scheme, but what is there to stop it being something as small as a new set of smart motorway cameras?”
Ministers say road tolls will “remain rare” and the new powers would only be used in exceptional circumstances.
Mr Smith, during the reading of the Bill on Thursday 15 October, continued:
“At a time when drivers are getting squeezed at the pump and the Government are cancelling multiple schemes, we must be completely clear that the Bill as it stands is not acceptable. That is why my right hon. Friend the shadow Secretary of State tabled our sensible reasoned amendment. We cannot pass a Bill that could impose costs on drivers without a requirement to deliver significantly increased capacity and new schemes.
“The Government say that only new big roads will be included, but they have failed to explain why the Bill allows new infrastructure to fall within the scope of tolling. The use of the term “infrastructure” may paint a picture of an entirely new road scheme, but what is there to stop it being something as small as a new set of smart motorway cameras? The Government may protest that that is unfeasible. If so, why will they not amend the Bill to make that abundantly clear? They should put it on the face of the Bill.”
(Picture: Chris Moncrief)
