Mr Richard Holden

Mr Richard Holden

Conservative — Basildon and Billericay

Speaking in the House of Commons on 15 October 2026

Debate

Highways (Financing) Bill

Contribution

I thank the hon. Member—my occasional squash partner—for asking that question; he often beats me at squash. We are not opposed to tolls, per se—we have had them on the existing lower Thames crossing at Dartford for years—but we took them away on the Severn bridge, which is important for our connectivity to Wales. We are totally against opening up the entire strategic road network to charging, which is what this piece of legislation does.

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