Euro MP launches 'scrap the tolls' campaign (From Wirral Globe)

Euro MP launches 'scrap the tolls' campaign

10:39am Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Stephanie Cureton

A WIRRAL Euro MP has branded an expected rise in tunnel tolls as “highway robbery.”

Paul Nuttall, North West UKIP MEP, joined protestors at the Wallasey tunnel entrance to fight plans to increase tolls.

Motorists are bracing themselves for a 10p increase - taking the tunnel charge to £1.60 - when the Merseytravel board meets later today.

Mr Nuttall said tolls should be scrapped across the country.

He said: “We held this protest as part of our campaign to get road tolls scrapped, not just on Merseyside, but at other toll tunnels and bridges.

“They are highway robbery - even Dick Turpin was masked.

“As far as the Mersey Tunnels are concerned we already pay for these with our road taxes and council taxes.”

He continued: “We were told they would be free after the capital cost was paid off but here we are still paying - and now they are talking about increasing the price by 7% which would mean an extra 10p each way.

“That will be a terrible blow particularly for small businesses.

“Our aim is for the tunnels to be integrated into the national roadway and all tolls scrapped and so we intend to continue protesting at toll crossings all over the country.”