MERSEY Tunnel tolls could be slashed to £1 for Wirral residents according to proposals from Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

Mayor Rotheram first proposed the idea in his manifesto pledge and the reduced toll would be available to everyone who lives within the Liverpool City Region who registers for a Fast Tag.

Other proposals include a toll freeze for cars at £1.80 and tolls for other vehicles such as vans, coaches and HGVs will also be held at 2018 rates.

Mayor Rotheram said: "I’m pleased to submit a proposal for a new £1 Fast Tag toll, delivering on the commitment I made during my election. If approved, this will be the lowest tunnel toll in over 25 years, with the rate available to the people of the Liverpool City Region 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.

“Nobody likes to have to pay to use the tunnels, but they are a critical element of the city region’s infrastructure and we do not receive any central government funding to effectively operate, maintain and upgrade them.

“During the 2015 general election the then Chancellor promised that we would receive national funding for the tunnels but this has not been forthcoming. Until this happens I will continue to work to keep the tolls as low as possible, especially for city region residents.”

If approved at the Combined Authority nest week, the changes will come into effect from April.

Wirral council leader Phil Davies told the Globe: “I’ve been been campaigning for a reduction in the price of the Mersey tunnels since the start of the Combined Authority, so I welcome today’s announcement.

"It will help reduce the burden of tolls for commuters and residents in the borough and the wider Liverpool City Region.

"With recent investments in Merseyrail on Wirral, we are delivering for local people.”