Part III of the Transport Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”) authorises the Secretary of State to make a trunk road charging scheme in respect of roads for which the Secretary of State is the traffic authority, and which are carried by a bridge, or pass through a tunnel, of at least 600 metres in length.

This Order establishes a charging scheme in respect of the roads carried by the Severn Bridges. Article 3 designates the roads in England which are carried by the bridges as the roads in respect of which charges are imposed under the Order (“the scheme roads”).

Article 4 imposes a charge on vehicles travelling from east to west on a scheme road. The classes of motor vehicles in respect of which charges are imposed and the charge amounts are specified in Schedule 1. The vehicle classes are determined by reference to the Road User Charging and Workplace Levy (Classes of Motor Vehicles) (England) (Regulations) 2001 (S.I. 2001/2793). The classes of motor vehicles exempt from paying the charges are specified in Schedule 2.

Article 5 provides for advance payments in respect of charges for use of the scheme roads. Such agreements may provide for reduced charges.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.