CAMPAIGNERS against the tunnel toll hike braved the cold to protest the rise.

The Mersey Tunnels Users Association (MTUA) staged a demonstration near the toll booths at Oakdale Road bridge on Easter Monday as the new prices came into force.

Cash tolls for cars went up from £1.50 to £1.60 at midnight on Sunday with the highest toll going from £6.00 to £6.40.
 

The discounted toll for Tag users has not changed.
 

Dave Loudon, chairman of the MTUA, slammed the timing of the toll rise as local families visited relatives over the Bank Holiday.

He said: “This highlights the fact that this is almost the only area in Britain where people have to pay a toll tax in order to visit families and friends who just happen to live on the other side of the river.

"This toll and the planned tolls for crossing the river at Runcorn divide the region.

"It should be obvious to almost everyone that while this toll increase will boost the profits for Merseytravel it will also be a blow to the economy and employment."