Tyne Tunnels Act 1998

1 Short Title

This Act may be cited as the Tyne Tunnels Act 1998.

2 Interpretation

In this Act—

• “the 1976 Act” means the Tyne and Wear Act 1976;

• “the Authority” means the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority;

• “new tunnel crossing” means an additional tunnel crossing of the river Tyne in the vicinity of the road tunnel and intended to be operated in conjunction with it;

• “the road tunnel” means Work No. 2 described in Part I of Schedule 1 to the 1976 Act; and

• “the tunnel” has the meaning given in section 36 of the 1976 Act.

3 Amendment of 1976 Act

(1) Part II of the 1976 Act is amended as follows.

(2) In section 13 (Revision of tolls), after subsection (4)(a), there shall be inserted—

“(aa) the desirability of providing funds for and in meeting expenses incurred in securing any necessary authority or consent for, and in securing the construction and operation of, an additional tunnel crossing of the river Tyne;”.

(3) In section 14 (Application of tolls), in subsection (1)(c), after “subsection” there shall be inserted—

“(i) in providing funds for and in meeting expenses incurred in securing any necessary authority or consent for, and in securing the construction and operation of, an additional tunnel crossing of the river Tyne;

(ii)”.

4 Facilitating provision of new tunnel

(1) Without prejudice to any other power available to it, the Authority may take all such steps as it may think fit to facilitate the provision and operation of a new tunnel crossing.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, in addition to or as part of any order which may be made under section 3 of the [1992 c. 42.] Transport and Works Act 1992 relating to or to matters ancillary to the construction of a new tunnel crossing, provision may be made by an order under that section relating to or to matters ancillary to the operation of the tunnel and the new tunnel crossing, including provision applying, modifying or excluding any statutory provision and provision amending, repealing or revoking any statutory provision of local application including a provision of this Act.