A parliamentary discussion about Merseyside and Cheshire toll roads is set to get underway this morning

The debate is due to start at 11am in Westminster Hall and will take place against background of unrest in Ellesmere Port and Cheshire West after a controversial price increase for some.

The debate was called for by Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port, who launched a petition in February calling for changes in the Fast Tag system for Mersey Tunnels to be halted.

Tolls for using the Kingsway and Queensway tunnels changed in April with drivers from Liverpool City Region - Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Halton, St Helens and Knowsley - having a reduced cost of £1 for using the tag system.

But for those living outside of those six areas, such as Ellesmere Port and the rest of Cheshire West and Chester, tag costs rose by 60p per journey from £1.20 to £1.80.

Mr Madders’ petition states: "This will impact on peoples jobs, incomes and sets communities against one another."

Anti-toll campaigners are asking MPs to call for an independent inquiry.

Scrap Mersey Tolls spokesman John McGoldrick said: "Our area is the worst effected in Britain by tolls.

"Added to this we have had the awful effects of the penalty charge system on the Mersey Gateway.

"It is creating a lot of hardship and worry.

"To make it even worse, we believe that it is illegal. It is long past time that something was done."

Mr McGoldrick believes it is most unlikely today's debate will have any concrete results "but it will at least indicate whether local MPs are really interested in the issue."