Humber Bridge toll could rise to £3: Proposal blasted by businesses
MOTORISTS and businesses have expressed their alarm at a possible plan to increase Humber Bridge tolls by 11 per cent.
The Humber Bridge Board is to consider the hike during a special meeting on Monday, the Mail understands.
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The Humber Bridge Board is set to consider increasing tolls.
It could eventually see a single car crossing increase from £2.70 to £3.
The meeting will also see members moot plans to replace the existing toll system with a more up-to-date payment method including pre-paid, scannable cards, for example.
Hull-based haulage firm A R Lunn could face a £20 crossing charge each time a lorry uses the bridge, if the increase went ahead.
Managing director Andrew Lunn said: "This will be just another attack on our depleting margins.
"This will make trade between ourselves and the south of the Humber very hard.
"The tolls already cost us tens of thousands of pounds a year.We already have to pay £18.70 per lorry to cross.
"We don't pass this on to our customers and take the hit ourselves."
Richard Kendall, of Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, admits business would be hit hard by further rises.
He said: "It's disappointing they are looking at raising the tolls again.
"We knew they would look at it some time but it's still a blow and something businesses don't need right now."
No one from the bridge board wanted to discuss the possible plan to increase the toll with the Mail ahead of Monday's meeting.
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by Andy, Vicky Dock
Monday, August 02 2010, 6:09AM
“I have to use the bridge to get to Humberside Airport, but I claim back the Toll on Expenses and only make this journey 10 to 12 times a year. Otherwise I never use the bridge or visit any of the attractions that Lincolnshire has to offer thus for this reason alone it's holding back the economys on both sides.
Think on this........... If you have to work over there and travel by car everyday it would cost £1250.00 a year, now that is a lot of money. If the government have to charge us to use the bridge then why not make it 50p both ways with buckets to throw the money in to open the barrier, that way they get paid and we, the people on the North Bank finally get to see Lincoln, i've heard it looks really grand but until they reduce the cost i'll never know.”
by Mark P, West Hull
Monday, August 02 2010, 12:13AM
“Its a shame that the proposed motorway that was planned for Lincolnshire to connect with the M11 never materialized. If it had we all know that we wouldn't have been having this debate, another government blunder (knock me down with a feather). I consider myself to be a bit of a environmentalist on the quiet, and building the motorway link to the M11 would have done more good than harm, no offense intended, but would anyone have missed another 50 feet either side of the A15 to ease congestion on the A1/M1? Another tragedy surrounding this whole affair is the lack of people that aren't aware of this magnificent structure actually existing, every time I see or pass the bridge I think of the remarkable achievements of all involved with the planning & erection of it.”
by Terry, hull
Saturday, July 31 2010, 6:34PM
“terrorism worked for the IRA ?
anybody daft enough to threaten to blow the bridge until untill they make it free ?”
by Harry, Hull
Saturday, July 31 2010, 3:12PM
“Correct Rob. After Stonesy's comment I did enquire whether there were passes available, but all they could offer me were books of prepaid vochers.”
by RodB, Brough
Saturday, July 31 2010, 1:47PM
“Stonesy - therer is no bridge pass available - just books of vouchers which are sold with a 10% discount. But if you order by phone or online there is a £5 delivery chage which wipes out the discount!
I think most people are missing the point - both banks of the Humber suffer from economic barriers to growth because of location,image, declining traditional industries and a lack of cohesive local planning. The cost of using the bridge is another negative factor in this equation, Compare the cost of the Dartford Crossing - For a HGV vehicle crossing the Thames Estuary costs £3.70 - and there is no charge at all during the night. The cost to cross the Humber Bridge is £18.30 - at any time.
The Humber area needs to encourage local industries, not place an additional burden on new investment.”