Tunnel tolls will remain at their current level until next March – but Merseytravel has rejected a bid to introduce a residents’ discount

Feb 11 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

TUNNEL tolls will remain at their current level until next March – but Merseytravel has rejected a bid to introduce a residents’ discount.

Councillors met last Thursday and voted to freeze tolls from April 1 to March 31, 2010 – saying they wanted to support businesses and the public during the current economic downturn.

The Mersey Tunnel Users Association (MTUA) has welcomed the decision – but expressed concern that tolls seemed certain to rise in 2010, describing them as an “economic liability” for the region.

John McGoldrick of the MTUA said: “It is a relief that they were not rash enough to increase tolls immediately, but it is most disappointing that they appear to have agreed to put the tolls up next year. We have been paying tolls for over 75 years and they should have been removed long ago.

“It is high time that this millstone round our necks was removed, I hope that all those who live and work in the region will press their local councillors and MPs to get the Government to take over the tunnels and remove the tolls completely.”

An amendment put forward by Moreton and Saughall Massie Conservative Councillor Chris Blakeley, proposing a discount for residents and no tolls from 6pm to 6am, was defeated at last week’s meeting.

The amendment pointed out that all tolls in Scotland had been removed and that people living near the Dartford crossing in Kent are now getting a substantial discount.

Cllr Blakeley said: “This delayed increase will be in the middle of a recession and working people in Wirral will be hit hard. The temporary delay in the increase will be a timebomb under the Wirral economy and may see the tolls go up by much more than inflation.

“I am particularly disappointed that councillors from Wirral voted for this increase, knowing as they do, how much people are feeling the pinch.”

John McGoldrick said he thought the councillors who voted against the amendment were “misinformed”.

He added: “The discount scheme was on the basis that the cost would be met by the Government which is in effect what is happening in Dartford.

“As for removing the tolls at night, the tunnels are currently making a surplus of over £6m, which I would have thought would have covered the loss of income at night.”

Cllr Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel, said: “By maintaining all of the tunnel toll charges at their current levels we can only help the vast majority of people using the tunnels for private or commercial reasons.

“Like every other PTA we have financial pressures but we hope people appreciate what we are trying to do with these prices freezes.”