Ridgmont Bypass and Woburn Link Road, Bedfordshire
June 2008
Tunstall Northern Bypass, Stoke on Trent
July 2008
Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor, Darlington
August 2008
Brierley Hill Access Network, Dudley
September 2008
A631 -West Bawtry Road Improvements, Rotherham
End September 2008
A688 - Wheatley Hill to Bowburn Link, Durham
October 2008
Roads: Tolls
Norman Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what tolls and charges are applied for use of (a) bridges and (b) tunnels on the motorway and trunk road network, broken down by charges for (i) cars, (ii) buses, (iii) lorries and (iv) motorcycles. [226728]
Paul Clark:
Tolls and charges are applied to certain bridges and tunnels on the motorway and trunk road network in England. Only the Dartford crossing is the direct responsibility of the Government. The Severn river crossings and M6 toll are operated by concessionaires. The Tamar crossing and Tyne tunnel, although forming parts of trunk road routes, are the responsibility of local authorities. The following information is available from the websites of the operators. These websites also provide more detailed information on tolls and charges such as discounts for those choosing to pay using electronic “tags”.
Severn River Crossings (tolls are charged westwards only)
£
Vehicle Category 1 (Up to 9 Seats)
5.30
Vehicle Category 2 (Small bus up to 17 seats and Goods vehicles up to 3,500kg)
10.60
Vehicle Category 3 (18 seats and more and goods vehicles from 3,500kg)
15.90
Note:
1 Motorcycles are exempt from Toll Charges.
17 Oct 2008 : Column 1555W
Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing
£
6am-10pm
10pm-6am
Motor Cycle
Free
Free
Motor Car
£1.00
£1.00
Light or Medium Goods Vehicle
£1.80
£1.00
HGV, Motor Coach or Omnibus
£2.90
£1.00
Note:
As Parliament has previously been notified, a new charging regime is being introduced shortly. Charges will change from 10pm on 15 November 2008.
M6 Toll
£
6am-11pm
11 pm-6am
Class 1 (Motorcycle)
2.50
1.50
Class 2 (Car)
4.50
3.50
Class 3 (Car & Trailer)
8.00
7.00
Class 4 (Van/Coach)
9.00
8.00
Class 5 (HGV)
9.00
8.00
Tamar Bridge
£
Single
With trailer
Motorcycle
Free
Free
2 Axle MGW under 3.5 tonnes
1.00
2.00
2 Axle MGW over 3.5 tonnes
2.50
5.00
3 Axle HGV
4.00
8.00
4 or more Axles HGV
5.50
11.00
Tyne Tunnel
£
Motorbikes
20p
Cars and Light Vans
1.20
Lorries, Buses, Vans over 3,500kg
1.50
Taxis: Vetting
Bob Spink:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to require full criminal record checks, covering the entire adult life, of foreign nationals seeking work as licensed taxi drivers. [226928]
Paul Clark:
The legislation governing taxi driver licensing requires local authorities to carry out such checks as they regard necessary in order to satisfy themselves that an applicant for a taxi driver licence is a
“fit and proper person”.
It is for each authority to decide what checks to carry out. In making an assessment about applicants’ suitability, local authorities can make use of information on an applicant’s criminal record.
We have no plans to change this position. However, we have provided Best Practice Guidance to assist local licensing authorities in carrying out their licensing responsibilities. The Guidance, which was published in 2006 drew attention to the importance of local authorities having a policy on background checks for applicants from outside the UK. It provided a link to the Criminal Records Bureau website which contains information about obtaining certificates of good conduct, or similar 17 Oct 2008 : Column 1556W
documents, from a number of countries. In considering revisions to, and updating of, the Guidance over the next few months, we will review whether this particular section should be strengthened.
Transport: Schools
Norman Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many school run car journeys he estimates were made in each year since 1997, broken down by the smallest available geographical unit. [226697]
Paul Clark:
Data on the number of school run car journeys are not available centrally. However, figures on the proportion of trips to school by mode and region are published in Regional Transport Statistics. The 2007 Edition of this publication is available on the Department for Transport's website at:
Norman Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of schools in England he estimates have a travel plan in place. [226698]
Paul Clark:
Nearly 70 per cent. of schools currently have a travel plan in place and we are on track to meet our target of all schools to have a travel plan by 2010.
