The Severn crossings toll
The Severn crossings toll

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2010-12-22

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13: 9780215555700

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The Welsh Affairs Committee considers the impact of the Severn Crossings Toll on the economy of South Wales and beyond. The Severn Crossings are seen as a vital link for the people and business located in South Wales and beyond. In the Committee's view, while the Crossings, currently managed by Severn River Crossings Plc, bring many valuable benefits including reduced journey times and improved access to customers and suppliers, there is a perception that the high cost of the toll represents a barrier to business. The Committee found that much evidence about the toll's impact is anecdotal and recommends that empirical evidence should be gathered about the economic impact of the toll on both sides of the border. The report is also critical that the inflexibility of the Severn Crossings Act does not allow the toll to be reduced without the taxpayer bearing the cost and is disappointed that it has not proved possible for the Toll to be frozen for 2011. The report concludes that the end of the concession projected for 2017, provides an opportunity to re-examine the pricing policy for the Severn Crossings. The Committee argues that once the bridge returns to public ownership and its current debt is paid off, the cost of maintenance and toll operation will be a fraction of the current monies raised by the toll charges and concludes that there is a strong case for significantly reducing the cost of the toll.

Crossing the Border
Crossing the Border

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2013-03-06

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 9780215054616

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Problems with key M4 transport route continue to risk damage to Welsh economy. The route has suffered from under-investment and congestion for too long. The UK and Welsh Governments must work together to find attainable, funded solutions to these problems. The Committee also says the high toll on the Severn Crossing is still hampering the development of businesses in Wales and deterring inward investment to Wales and the UK Government should bring forward proposals for reducing it. The Committee also welcomes the new investment in cross-border rail links into Wales but the exclusion of South Wales from the HS2 proposals means businesses and people may relocate eastwards across the border. The development of a high speed rail link from Wales to England would be an important boost to the Welsh economy and help to achieve the aim of successive Governments of rebalancing the UK economy. There are good examples of joint working between the two governments to secure improvements to strategic cross-border routes, and especially welcome is the almost £2 billion of rail investment on the electrification of the Great Western Main Line and a proposed new rail link to Heathrow Airport. But the Committee says it is unclear why the Welsh Government should be entitled to a "Barnett" consequential payment in respect of the Crossrail project but not HS2. It also notes that rail connectivity between North and Mid Wales and England has been overlooked for too long and calls for more frequent rail connections from Mid Wales to England.

AA Walks Through Britain's History
AA Walks Through Britain's History

Author: Automobile Association (Great Britain)

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 9780393323504

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Experience the abundant history of Britain firsthand with this scenic, thorough, and altogether superlative guide.

Build, Operate, Transfer
Build, Operate, Transfer

Author: Sidney M. Levy

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 1996-09-27

Total Pages: 428

ISBN-13: 9780471119920

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One thing that mature, developing, or undeveloped nations have incommon in today's global economy is the necessity to construct,repair, refurbish, and modernize their infrastructure. More andmore governments are turning to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)process to accomplish this expensive and enormously challengingtask--allowing private developers to design, finance, construct,and operate revenue-producing public projects, and then turn themover to the community at the end of an agreed payback period. The first book to explore this innovative approach toprivatization, Build, Operate, Transfer covers the creation of BOTprojects from the ground up. Using a real-world, case-orientedapproach, it provides a comprehensive examination of theengineering, construction, and financial skills required to bringBOT ventures from the planning stage to design, construction, andoperation. From the Channel Tunnel to the Dulles Greenway, the bookexamines both successful projects and troubled ones, extracting keyinformation on what sets them apart--including such crucial factorsas the importance of public support and government control inensuring a positive outcome. You will also find specific coverageof construction techniques and procedures, plus financialcomparisons, demographics, and other statistical data. Whether you are a student or a professional working in engineering,construction, finance, or government, BOT cannot be ignored as aneffective way to build infrastructure projects quickly,efficiently, and at minimal cost. This book equips you with boththe comprehensive information and the practical guidance you needto put this dynamic practice into action. The only book available on the BOT approach to private constructionand maintenance of public projects--complete coverage from theground up Contractors the world over are discovering how to useprivate-public partnerships to build much-needed infrastructureprojects quickly, efficiently, and at minimal cost. This bookthoroughly explores the combination of engineering, construction,and financial skills required to bring these Build-Operate-Transfer(BOT) ventures from the planning stage to design, construction, andoperation. Based on a real-world, case-driven approach, Build,Operate, Transfer examines specific BOT projects, identifying keyfactors necessary to their successful implementation, and offeringimportant guidance on avoiding common pitfalls. This practical bookfeatures: A full introduction to BOT systems, with diagrams ofconstruction techniques and procedures, complete sample contract,and more * Charts and graphs with financial analyses, demographicinformation, and important statistical data * BOT examples from many different countries, including the UnitedStates, Britain, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, andMexico * A broad spectrum of project types--from tunnel construction tohighways and more * Important guidance on keeping projects on time and on budget

Sessional Returns
Sessional Returns

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2012-09-14

Total Pages: 442

ISBN-13: 9780215048387

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On cover and title page: House, committees of the whole House, general committees and select committees

Representation of consumer interests in Wales
Representation of consumer interests in Wales

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2012-01-10

Total Pages: 60

ISBN-13: 9780215040268

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Consumer advocacy plays an important part in the Welsh economy. Organisations including Consumer Focus Wales and Citizens Advice represent consumers' interests in their dealings with businesses, industry regulators and the UK and Welsh Governments. A significant aspect of their work is to ensure that consumers receive a fair deal in their daily lives. Advocacy is particularly important to those termed the most vulnerable in Welsh society. The Government announced its plans in October 2010 to abolish Consumer Focus Wales and to transfer some or all of its functions to Citizens Advice Cymru. The final decision will be taken once Ministers have considered the findings of the public consultation. But this delay has caused on going uncertainty and the Committee calls on the Government to publish without delay its detailed plans. MPs are not wholly persuaded by the Government's reasons for abolishing Consumer Focus Wales, but recognise that given the current financial situation there is a strong case for examining whether consumer interests are represented in the most efficient and cost-effective way. However, the Government should provide guarantees that the best features of Consumer Focus Wales are protected in any successor body, including: statutory independence from interference by ministers or its parent organization; a "Welsh focus" and the present level of funding. As consumer matters fall increasingly under the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales, the committee calls for a review, on whether to devolve responsibility for consumer affairs to the National Assembly for Wales and that The Commission on Devolution in Wales should consider this matter when it reviews the powers of the National Assembly for Wales

Inward investment in Wales
Inward investment in Wales

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2012-02-21

Total Pages: 64

ISBN-13: 9780215041845

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In this report the Welsh Affairs Committee says that investment opportunities have been missed by the lack of a dedicated trade promotion agency. The abolition of the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) has reduced Wales's visibility in the global market place. Nearly five years on, the WDA remains one of the most recognisable of all Welsh brands. The Welsh Government must urgently consider how it can be used to promote more clearly Wales's global identity. The Committee argues for the establishment of a dedicated trade promotion agency, either sitting within the Welsh Government or as a private sector vehicle. Such a body should have a mix of skills with an emphasis on private sector experience. Wales does not have sufficient resources to work alone in attracting inward investment nor the advantages that UK Trade & Investment, the UK Government department with lead responsibility for trade and investment, has in terms of resources and networks. The Welsh Government must engage with politicians in the UK Government to maximise opportunities to attract inward investment to Wales and so improve the long-term prospects of the Welsh economy. The UK Government and the Welsh Government must work together effectively, and work with education providers and industry, for the improvement of the Welsh economy and the Welsh people.