Tolled crossing could unleash ‘more city congestion’

06 August 2008
 
Proposed tolls on the new £390M Mersey Gateway Bridge could lead to thousands of motorists opting to use the Mersey tunnels instead, Liverpool councillors claim.

The toll plans for the new bridge between Runcorn and Widnes have not yet been finalised, but some Liverpool councillors believe they will lead to an increased use of the tunnels and severe traffic congestion in the city centre.

Unveiling plans for the new bridge, which could open as early as 2014, Halton council’s chief executive, David Parr, had said the Government insisted the new bridge must be tolled, so council leaders had decided to toll the current Silver Jubilee bridge as well. There will be discounts for local people and frequent users.

But Liverpool councillor, Colin Eldridge, pledged he and some colleagues would fight plans for the tolls, saying the new bridge should be government-funded.

A survey carried out by Halton council revealed there could be a decrease in the use of both the current bridge and the Mersey Gateway, if they were tolled at a suggested rate of £1.30p.

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