Written evidence from South West Wales
Integrated Transport Consortium
Despite extensive research as part of developing
the Regional Transport Plan for South West Wales (2010-15), the
South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium (SWWITCH) does
not have any hard evidence about the impact of the Severn Crossing
tolls on the region.
Stakeholders, particularly those representing
the logistics industry, provided anecdotal evidence on the impact
on businesses, and there was speculation about the impact on inward
investment, but SWWITCH has no quantitative or qualitative evidence
which will support your current inquiry.
However, I have been asked as SWWITCH Lead Chief
Officer to highlight the issue of the future of tolls (after the
bridge returns to public ownership) and the need for a transparent
mechanism which clearly links any toll rises to an appropriate
index. This will ensure that current and future investors in the
region will have confidence about their operational costs and
that individuals will not be unfairly penalised for working or
making leisure journeys into and out of Wales.
September 2010
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