PART 6OPERATIONS

Road user charging

45.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs, the date when the tunnels are completed and open for traffic, the Secretary of State may impose road user charges in respect of motor vehicles using the tunnel area in accordance with Schedule 12 (road user charging provisions for use of the Lower Thames Crossing).

(2) Without prejudice to, and notwithstanding, any enactment, the Secretary of State may, with such terms and conditions as the Secretary of State may determine, transfer the power to impose road user charges under paragraph (1) to any person or body.

(3) Where the Secretary of State transfers the power to impose road user charges pursuant to paragraph (2)—

(a)The Secretary of State must publish a notice of that transfer in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate to bring the transfer to the attention of all persons who are likely to be affected by it;

(b)The Secretary of State may revoke or vary that transfer where they deem a revocation or variation is reasonably necessary or expedient;

(c)That person or body may not transfer the power without the consent of the Secretary of State; and

(d)Paragraph (1) of this article, article 46 (suspension of road user charging) and Schedule 12 are to be construed so that references to the Secretary of State are references to that person or body.