Meetings

NDM6141
 
Mark Reckless (South East Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Supports the abolition of tolls on the Severn bridges following their return to the public sector.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete all and replace with:

1. Calls on the Welsh and UK governments to explore all aspects of funding for both Severn bridges on their return to public ownership.

2. Notes that previous assessments have indicated that traffic volumes would increase by at least 25 per cent if tolls were removed

3. Calls for a traffic assessment to be undertaken by Traffic Wales in order to inform the decision to remove tolls based on the ability of the surrounding transport system to deal with any increases in traffic

4. Believes that if the long term future of both bridges can be secured through existing budgets with no impact on other transport projects around Wales, then toll free use of the bridges should be a priority.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Delete all and replace with:

Calls for the responsibility for the Severn bridges to be devolved when they return to public ownership, and supports the abolition of tolls payable on the crossings.

Amendment 3. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new points 1 and 2 and renumber accordingly:

1. Notes the benefit removing tolls on the Severn bridges would have on the economy of Wales.

2. Believes there is no case for continuing to charge tolls on the Severn bridges to fund ongoing maintenance once the concession ends as they represent an unfair tax on the people and businesses of Wales.

The item started at 16.28

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6141 Mark Reckless (South East Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Supports the abolition of tolls on the Severn bridges following their return to the public sector.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete all and replace with:

1. Calls on the Welsh and UK governments to explore all aspects of funding for both Severn bridges on their return to public ownership.

2. Notes that previous assessments have indicated that traffic volumes would increase by at least 25 per cent if tolls were removed

3. Calls for a traffic assessment to be undertaken by Traffic Wales in order to inform the decision to remove tolls based on the ability of the surrounding transport system to deal with any increases in traffic

4. Believes that if the long term future of both bridges can be secured through existing budgets with no impact on other transport projects around Wales, then toll free use of the bridges should be a priority.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Delete all and replace with:

Calls for the responsibility for the Severn bridges to be devolved when they return to public ownership, and supports the abolition of tolls payable on the crossings.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new points 1 and 2 and renumber accordingly:

1. Notes the benefit removing tolls on the Severn bridges would have on the economy of Wales.

2. Believes there is no case for continuing to charge tolls on the Severn bridges to fund ongoing maintenance once the concession ends as they represent an unfair tax on the people and businesses of Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

Amendment 3 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6141 Mark Reckless (South East Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the benefit removing tolls on the Severn bridges would have on the economy of Wales.

2. Believes there is no case for continuing to charge tolls on the Severn bridges to fund ongoing maintenance once the concession ends as they represent an unfair tax on the people and businesses of Wales.

3. Supports the abolition of tolls on the Severn bridges following their return to the public sector.

The motion as amended was agreed.