Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks has criticised the Severn River Crossing Company for failing to disclose how much compensation it has paid out following damage caused to vehicles after ice falls on the Severn Bridges.
General Manager JM Clune told the South Wales Central AM in a letter: “I regret that we are unable to disclose data concerning compensation for windscreen damage to vehicles due to commercial privacy and data protection issues.
“I can assure you that in addition to liaison with fellow bridge operators in mainland Europe and further afield, SRC is continuing to research the availability of any technology to mitigate the ‘ice falls’ issues on the Crossings.”
Chris Franks said: “Although, the Severn River Crossing Company is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act, I believe it is in the public interest for this information to be disclosed.
“The amount of compensation payments made to motorists could be seen as an indicator of safety on the bridges during wintery conditions. I think it would be interests of the company to be open and transparent with the tens of thousands of motorists that use the bridges every day.
“If the bridge was operated by the Highways Agency they would be expected to provide these details under the Freedom of Information Act. So it begs the question what have the company got to hide?
“With the bridge being operated by a private company it appears they are reaping the rewards without the accountability of a public body,” added Chris Franks.
The Highways Agency told Chris Franks that 12 claims for compensation had been made following ice falls which closed the two Severn bridges for a total of 54 hours in 2009.
The agency said that the Second Severn Crossing had been closed for a total of 44 hours on three occasions, twice in February 2009 and once in December 2009, due to ice.While the original Severn Bridge was shut twice for a total of 10 hours. Between 30,000 and 40,000 vehicles use the bridge daily.
