Wirral MP's plans to take over the Mersey tunnels

Jun 18 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

A CAMPAIGN for the government to take over the running of the Mersey tunnels is gaining momentum.

South Wirral’s Ben Chapman has already said he is hoping to persuade the government to take control from Merseytravel and introduce discounts for local residents who use the tunnels.

The government is currently consulting on plans to give locals an 80pc discount on the Dartford crossing, near London.

This week the MP was joined by the Mersey Tunnel Users Association whose members believe the tunnel should be run by the government through the Highways Agency.

Its secretary John McGoldrick said: “In April we saw an historic move when all parties on Wirral Council united to call for tolls to be scrapped.

He added: “The Highways Agency is much better placed to run the tunnels efficiently. With the right political will, the government could be persuaded to cancel the historic debts on the tunnels.”

Mr Chapman said he knew there was little prospect of the Department for Transport agreeing to take over the tunnels, but wanted to raise the profile of the issue.

A spokesman for the DfT said the department would be giving Mr Chapman a response in due course.

A spokesman for Merseytravel said: “The Tunnels Act is in place and has been since 2004. This is something that has been considered previously; however, the question has been put forward and we will await a response.”

l Do you think the government should take over the running of the Mersey tunnels? If so, fill in the coupon and send it to Tunnel Tolls, Wirral News, 76 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead CH41 5AN.