5 Conclusion
44. Each of the case studies that
we examined during this inquiry held lessons on how new river
crossings should be designed, operated or financed. Over the next
Parliament important decisions will be made on where to locate
new river crossings in east London and the Lower Thames. This
report makes recommendations that will help to ensure those crossings
can transform local areas and the Strategic Road Network for the
better. At the same time, we recognise new crossings can have
environmental impacts on the areas where they are situated. We
have called on the Government to investigate how technology, design
or intelligent transport systems can mitigate those impacts. Free-flow
technology is one way to increase traffic flows and we welcome
its implementation at Dartford; however, the technology will never
reach its potential if it is not made interoperable with similar
toll systems. We are also concerned that the Government is not
being sufficiently mindful of risk. Free-flow technology might
have an impact on how river crossings are financed, as they increase
the risk that some motorists will not pay tolls. The Government
is also standing behind risk that we believe should rightly be
allocated to the private sector. We have called upon the Government
to conduct more work in assessing those risks and to be clearer
on how they can be mitigated.
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