Shadow transport minister Greg Smith has warned that proposed changes to highway funding could allow tolls to be introduced on the M25 and other existing roads.
Speaking during the Bill’s second reading in Parliament on 15 October, the Conservative MP for Mid-Buckinghamshire questioned the scope of powers in the Highways (Financing) Bill. The legislation is intended to support schemes including the privately financed Lower Thames Crossing.
Concerns over definition of capacity
The Bill would allow tolling licences for new highways and improvements to trunk roads where the purpose is to increase capacity. Conservative MPs argue that it does not define what qualifies as an increase in capacity.
They say the wording could potentially cover relatively limited works, such as installing smart motorway cameras or replacing central reservations, rather than only substantial new road schemes.
Smith told MPs: “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.”
He also questioned why the Bill refers to new “infrastructure” without specifying that tolling would be limited to major capacity-boosting projects.
Ministers say tolling will be rare
Ministers have said road tolls will remain rare and that the new powers would be used only in exceptional circumstances. They have also said the measures are intended to apply only to new major roads.
Smith called for that restriction to be written directly into the legislation. “We cannot pass a Bill that could impose costs on drivers without a requirement to deliver significantly increased capacity and new schemes,” he said.
He added: “If so, why will they not amend the Bill to make that abundantly clear? They should put it on the face of the Bill.”