2017 No. 1303
The M4 and M48 Motorways (Severn Bridges Charging Scheme) Order 2017
Made
Coming into force
The Secretary of State makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 163(3)(d), 167(1)(a) and (2)(a), 168(1) and 171(1) and (2) of the Transport Act 20001.
Appropriate persons have been consulted in accordance with section 170(1C) of that Act and regulation 4 of the Trunk Road Charging Schemes (Bridges and Tunnels) (England) Procedure Regulations 20012.
Citation, commencement and period in force1
1
This Order may be cited as the M4 and M48 Motorways (Severn Bridges Charging Scheme) Order 2017.
2
It comes into force on 8th January 2018 and remains in force indefinitely.
Interpretation2
In this Order—
a
“the scheme roads” means the roads in England carried by the bridges;
b
the following have the same meaning as in the Severn Bridges Act 19923—
“the bridges”;
“the new bridge”;
“the toll plaza areas”;
“the new toll plaza area”.
Designation of the scheme roads3
The roads in respect of which charges are imposed under this Order are the scheme roads.
Imposition of charges4
1
Subject to paragraph (2), from 8th January 2018 a charge is imposed in respect of any motor vehicle which is—
a
of a class specified in column 1 of Schedule 1; and
b
travelling from east to west on a scheme road.
2
No charge is imposed in respect of the motor vehicles described in Schedule 2.
3
The charge imposed for a given class of motor vehicle is determined by reference to column 2 of Schedule 1.
4
Reference to a class of a motor vehicle in column 1 of Schedule 1 is to the class determined by reference to regulation 2 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 20014.
Advance payments5
1
The Secretary of State may enter into agreements under which, on such terms as may be provided, persons make payments in advance with respect to charges for the use of a motor vehicle on the scheme roads.
2
Agreements may relate to use on an agreed number of occasions or during an agreed period, and may provide for a reduction in the charges specified in Schedule 1.
3
Agreements must be offered on the same terms to all persons seeking to enter into an agreement.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
SCHEDULE 1CLASSES OF MOTOR VEHICLE AND CHARGES
Class of Motor Vehicle and Description | Charge for each motor vehicle for a single journey from east to west |
|---|---|
Classes A1, and A2 Motor cars and motor caravans | £ 5.60 |
Classes B1 and B2 Small goods vehicles and small buses | £11.20 |
Classes C1 and C2 Large goods vehicles and large buses | £16.70 |
SCHEDULE 2DECRIPTIONS OF MOTOR VEHICLES NOT SUBJECT TO CHARGE
1
A vehicle being used in the discharge of the function of a fire and rescue authority5.
2
A vehicle being used for police purposes.
3
A vehicle which is exempt from vehicle excise duty under any of the following provisions of Schedule 2 to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 19946—
a
paragraph 6 (ambulances);
b
paragraph 197 (vehicles for use by or for purposes of certain disabled people); or
c
paragraph 208 (vehicles used for carriage of disabled people by recognised bodies).
4
A vehicle being driven by a disabled person, or being used for the carriage of one or more disabled persons, which displays a current disabled person’s badge issued under—
a
section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 19709, or
b
section 14 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 197810.
5
A vehicle being used in connection with—
a
the collection of charges; or
b
the inspection, maintenance, improvement or renewal of, or other dealing with, either of the bridges or toll plaza areas or any of the highways carried by the bridges, within the toll plaza areas or connecting the new toll plaza area and the new bridge (or any structure, works or apparatus on, under or over any of those highways).
6
A vehicle which, having broken down on either of the bridges while travelling in one direction, is travelling in the opposite direction otherwise than under its own power.
(This note is not part of the Order)