EDINBURGH's overwhelming rejection of a city centre levy has given new heart to Mersey Tunnel 'scrap the tolls' campaigners.

Rejection of legislation to introduce charges to enter the Scottish capital - by the massive margin of 133,678 to 45,965 - prompted Mersey Tunnel Users Association chairman John McGoldrick to predict that a direct vote in Wirral and Liverpool would achieve a similar result.

He said: "What happened in Edinburgh has hardened our resolve to fight on. We would have been downhearted if Edinburgh had actually said 'yes.'

"It would have been a big step towards having tolls throughout Britain; starting with other city centres and extending to motorways and mains roads.

"In this scenario the chance of seeing an end to tunnel tolls would have disappeared."

Mr McGoldrick contrasted events north of the border - where the nine-year-old tolls on the Skye Bridge were scrapped at Christmas - with the Mersey situation, where the 70-year-old tunnel tolls are to increase by a further 10p a journey from April.

A two-way trip will cost motorists £2.60.

Tunnel operators Mersey Tunnel recently rejected MTUA proposals for off-peak tolls to be reduced; Sunday tolls to be removed and buses to travel through the tunnels free of charge.

The National Alliance Against Tolls - of which Mersey Tunnel Users Association is a member - lined up with opposition parties and community groups to oppose Labour-run Edinburgh Council's tolls plan.

The 'Yes' campaign was backed by green and transport groups and governments on both sides of the border,

Dave Loudon, spokesman for Mersey Tunnel Users Association, said: "We are pleased that the majority of people of Edinburgh have rejected tolls, despite the spin and vast resources that went into persuading them to say yes.

"It is rare that the people have a chance to have a decisive say. Tolls are unfair and indiscriminate in their application and a great deal of money is wasted in their collection.

"Unfortunately on Mersey-side we don't have a direct vote and tunnel users have had to suffer this burden for 70 years.

Mr Loudon went on: "The tolls that Edinburgh rejected may have seemed like a relative bargain to tunnel users. There would be no toll in the evenings or at weekends and you would have paid a maximum of £2-a-day.

"From April, Mersey tunnel users will pay £2.60 for every round trip - no matter which day and what hour and even if they have already paid that day."