Tunnel tolls have been frozen at £1.40 for another year.

A bid by Moreton and Saughall West councillor Chris Blakeley to have the tolls reduced by 10p for regular tunnel users was defeated.

After yesterday's meeting of the Merseytravel board, Cllr Blakeley told the Globe: "We tried to get the tunnel burden reduced for the people of Merseyside.

"But they spurned that opportunity and I find that dreadful.

"However, I'm absolutely delighted that the tolls haven't gone up. "But we had a real opportunity today, one that might not be presented to us again because next year we could find the toll triggered to £1.60."

Councillor Mark Dowd, Merseytravel chairman, said: ”We are delighted that we have been able to retain the tolls at their current level for a further 12 months.

“Under the Mersey Tunnels Act we are obliged to keep tolls in line with RPI but there is a clause which allows us to freeze them in exceptional economic or social conditions.

"There is however, no provision under the Act which allows any other variation.

"This would require a change in the Act itself.

“Claims that we were considering a 20p rise are complete nonsense."

Cllr Dowd said that a report published earlier this week by consultants Colin Buchanan makes clear damage would be caused if the tunnels were toll-free.

"It would result in an estimated net loss of £80m of retail spending from the Wirral, and 600 retail jobs.”

Dave Loudon, chairman of the Mersey Tunnels Users Association, welcomed the decision that there would be no increase.

He said: "This will save a regular user from having to hand over an extra £100 over the next 12 months.

"There is a very big sting in the tail, as the report to members implied that the toll will almost certainly be increased in 2011.

"We urge everyone to lobby their councillors over this issue. Any tolls divide the people on one side of the river from the other and damage the local economy.

"This prospective increase will further discourage new businesses from coming here".