As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road schemes, including the M50, are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). I understand that the NRA has advertised for consultants to assist the Authority in relation to the running of existing tolling operations and to provide general advice on tolling options.
To date no decisions have been made in relation to future tolling strategy or the introduction of additional road tolls. Careful consideration will be given to the issues involved before any decisions are made.
