Highways (Financing) Bill (First sitting)

Douglas Lumsden Excerpts

Thursday 29th October 2026 Public Bill Committees

[Jim Dickson]

Q It has been suggested that the requirement to sign in separately to use each tolled arrangement in the UK—the Mersey tunnels, the Tyne tunnel, the M6 and elsewhere—is a burden on a whole variety of road users. Mr Whelan, what do you think of the opportunity to create interoperability among tolled arrangements, thereby making it better for the logistics industry and consumers who use multiple tolled arrangements?

Michael Whelan: We fully support that and are looking at it as an industry—some operators of toll roads have come together to discuss that. Having one account makes a lot of sense, particularly for freight and logistics organisations. On top of that, interoperability can be expanded into other things, such as signage. Anywhere else in the world, toll roads will have a unique colour or symbol. That is important, because it helps to make sure there is some consistency and knowledge for the customer of what they are approaching, such as about when to pay. When it comes to free-flow tolling, it is important that people understand in advance what the rules are. Hence, we fully support part 7, with some minor amendments that we would like to see to clauses 92 to 94. Those are outlined in the pre-reading, but I think we might have run out of time to go through them now.

[Douglas Lumsden (Aberdeen South) (Con)]

Q Mr Whelan, we heard from the previous panel about the potential to offer discounts to local residents. Does M6 toll do that at present? How would that work?

Michael Whelan: We have done that. About two and a half years ago we put in place a new toll system—we spent £20 million on it—and that enabled us to introduce new toll pricing. We reduced prices for locals to £4, and we have held that there for the two and a half years. We have not increased it. That is something we are conscious of and have actively looked at, as well as having new products, some with discounts and some without. Interestingly, the account product that does not have a discount is our most popular one.

[Douglas Lumsden]

Q Which one is that?

Michael Whelan: The Lite account.

[Douglas Lumsden]

Q What does that do?

Michael Whelan: It provides an easier way to get a receipt. It also provides the ability to drive through what we call our breeze lanes, on which the gates will open automatically if your account is in good status.

[Douglas Lumsden]

Q Mr Garratt, you mentioned that you would like ministerial assurance that the Bill will not be used more widely across the rest of the country. Is ministerial assurance enough, or would you like to see something in the Bill to ensure that it is not a Trojan horse, as the Minister says it will not be?

Ben Garratt: Our sense is that the way in which the Bill is drafted is relatively strong. That is why we are seeking assurances on the record, rather than amendments. We do not want it to be used as a Trojan horse to spread this across the country, but there is a particular case for it on this particular route. Given the wording at the moment, to have assurances would be proportionate.

[Douglas Lumsden]

Q We have heard that moving to a smart motorway and using the hard shoulder could increase capacity, meaning that tolls could be charged.

Ben Garratt: Again, it would be good to get an assurance that that will not be the case, but that is not our reading of the Bill at the moment. That does not mean that others could not interpret it differently at some point, when looking at it in the future. That is why we are seeking a strong assurance that this is about adding actual new trunk road capacity and not doing things like what you just said.

[Douglas Lumsden]

Q Mr Pang, do you have any concerns?

Declan Pang: We are concerned about how the Bill could be applied to introduce tolls. We want greater reassurances from the Department about that. Clause 81 in particular gives the Secretary of State the power to direct any road to be made a trunk road, so we are concerned about what could be brought into scope. We want greater reassurances.

[The Chair]

That brings us to the end of the time allotted. On behalf of the Committee, I thank our witnesses for their evidence.

Examination of Witness

Ralph Smyth gave evidence.