Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 March 2004. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Monday, 1 March 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will allow cars which are free of road fund licences to travel free on the M6 toll road; and if he will make a statement. - Inc ref to New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

Answer: Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will allow cars which are free of road fund licences to travel free on the M6 toll road; and if he will make a statement. [157316] Mr. Jamieson: The legislation (the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991) enabling tolling at the M6 toll road provides exemptions from toll charges for police vehicles, identifiable as such by writing or markings on them or otherwise by their appearance, if being used for police purposes. The same legislation also provides exemption from liability to pay toll charges for certain types of vehicle, which are exempt from vehicle excise duty. These are: (i) fire engines as defined by paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 2 of the Vehicle Excise and Regulation Act 1994; (ii) ambulances as defined by paragraph 6(2) of that schedule; (iii) invalid carriages as defined by paragraph 18 of that schedule; (iv) vehicles used by or kept for use by or for the purposes of a disabled person as defined by paragraph 19 of that schedule; and (v) vehicles used for the carriage of disabled persons by recognised bodies in accordance with paragraph 20 of that schedule. The provision of any further exemptions from toll charges for other vehicles using the M6 toll road is solely at the discretion of the M6 toll concessionaire, Midland Expressway Ltd.

Secondary information