A "Scrap Tunnel Tolls" protest is underway at Wallasey.

North West UKIP Euro MP Paul Nuttall, who is the party’s deputy leader, is among those taking part in the protest on the Oakdale Road bridge over the Wallasey tunnel entrance.

The protest began at 8am and will continue till noon. It's one of several being staged simultaneously by UKIP at toll tunnels and bridges in the country, which the party regards as "highway robbery."

Mr Nuttall said: “As far as the Mersey tunnels are concerned we already pay for these with our road taxes and council taxes.

"We were told they would be free after the capital cost was paid off but here we are still paying - and in two weeks time the price is increasing by an extra 10p each way, which is a 7% rise.

"This will hit small businesses particularly hard.” 

Mr Nuttall said a study by the Federation of Small Businesses has shown that usage would increase - to the benefit of the local economy - if tolls are removed.

“Pollution caused by the queueing traffic is also a major problem. Our aim is for the tunnels to be integrated into the national roadway and all tolls scrapped,” he said.