Drivers could be facing another Mersey Tunnel toll increase (From Wirral Globe)
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Drivers could be facing another Mersey Tunnel toll increase
12:00pm Monday 31st January 2011 in News By Leigh Marles
Mersey Tunnel tolls could be increased
MERSEYTRAVEL is considering an increase in tunnel tolls.
The board meets on Thursday to ponder whether there should be an increase, and if so, if it should be a 10p or 20p hike.
The board report recommends raising the current £1.40 charge to £1.60, but a complex "discount" process would mean the actual fee would be set at £1.50.
The toll was last increased by 10p in April of 2008.
The Mersey Tunnel Users action group is lobbying for no increase to be imposed.
A statement from them says: "The board report implies tolls have little or no impact on business and that tolls are actually good for Wirral jobs!
"Like us you will probably think that this is all nonsense, but most of the local councillors may accept what is in a report from consultants and forget their own experience which should tell them that tolls are a physical and psychological barrier which can only harm an economy because they inhibit free movement and trade."
"The report also claims that if tolls are not increased, then congestion will increase.
"In our view most of the congestion is caused by toll collection, and removing tolls would reduce congestion."
Wirral's Merseytravel board member Conservative councillor Chris Blakely said he was unable to comment ahead of the meeting.
He would only say he will: "consider all the arguments before making a decision. Officers will have to make a very convincing argument for me to vote in favour."
If the increase is approved it would come into effect this April.
Comments(6)
johnbrace
says...
11:38am Mon 31 Jan 11
What's missing from the article is that the same report proposes looking into removing the current exemption from tunnel tolls for disabled drivers.
The_Wirral_Forum
says...
12:29pm Mon 31 Jan 11
No.9
says...
1:26pm Mon 31 Jan 11
Councillors on the Merseytravel board are well aware of the facts and feelings of tunnel users but arrogantly dismiss this in favour of a flawed consultation report - commissioned by themselves! The tunnels currently generate a huge profit - more than £30 million has been taken from us since the devious Mersey Tunnels Act was forced through, courtesy of mainly Labour "pay per vote" Scottish MPs (most of whom had no idea about what they were being told to vote for). This money is being used for other Merseytravel pet projects completely unconnected to the tunnels and of no benefit to those who actually pay for them.
The Mersyside local economy is suffering terribly due to the recession and it's predicted that worse is to come with recovery taking longer than anywhere else in the country. This is not the time to impose further burdens upon it or its beleaguered over-taxed motorists.
I urge all councillors on the board to examine the true facts as well as their own consciences as opposed to the generous allowances they're able to award themselves via this disgraceful tax, and, for once in their lives, to do the right thing and stand up for their constituents.
The tunnels should be free during the night and discounts for FastTag commuters should be in line with the London rates - i.e. £1 per journey. Local residents in Dartford and Thurrock can pay an annual registration fee of £10 which entitles them to 50 free journeys through the Dartford Tunnel with any additional crossings costing just 20p.
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
10:42am Wed 2 Feb 11
katryn
says...
6:44pm Sat 5 Feb 11
bob wirral says...
10:20am Mon 31 Jan 11
"Who’s that trotting under my tunnel?" growled the troll from under the planks.
you get the idea, and they love it! imagine a real life troll just round the corner! lol.