Hauliers back Humber Bridge tolls fight
THE haulage trade has pledged support for the Mail's campaign to scrap the Humber Bridge toll or reduce it to just £1 for cars.
Many said they spent tens of thousands of pounds on the bridge toll every year and called for an end to the additional burden.
The Mail's A Toll Too Far petition – launched in partnership with our sister papers the Scunthorpe Telegraph and the Grimsby Telegraph – urges the Government to take the first step in abolishing the toll by axing the bridge's £350m debt.
This would allow the toll to be seriously reduced or scrapped altogether.
Already, more than 450 people have put their names to the petition, which can signed by filling out a coupon in the Mail or by visiting our website.
The haulage industry suffers from the effects of the Humber Bridge toll more than most.
A single journey for a heavy goods vehicle costs £18.30. This could rise to £19.90 if a proposed increase goes ahead.
Dominic Yeardley, managing director of Hull-based European Road Freight Ltd, calculated his firm spent more than £4,000 a year on the bridge toll.
He said: "I was shocked when I added up how much we spend. It would obviously make a huge difference to the company if it was scrapped.
"It's a very unwelcome additional expense during what is not an easy time."
Andrew Lunn, of AR Lunn Transport, in east Hull, estimated that the company spends £1,200 a week on tolls, working out at more than £60,000 a year. Much of this cannot be recouped from clients.
He said: "It most certainly puts off clients. We try to pass the charge on to them but it is very difficult.
"Many do not appreciate just how expensive the toll is, especially our customers from the Continent."
The campaign comes after a new independent report, commissioned by councils on the north and south banks, found the region's economy could net a massive £1bn in the next 25 years, if the toll – currently standing at £2.70 for a single crossing by a car – was scrapped.
3 Comments
by Clive, South Bank
Monday, October 13 2008, 1:11PM
“I would also like to add that if it were not for the bridge being there in the first place, companies like Mr Lunn's probably wouldn't be working off the South Bank at all. So he might be spending £1200.00 a week on tolls but no-ones forcing him to. I don't expect free North Sea crossings because i travel to Europe regulaly!”
by Clive, South Bank
Monday, October 13 2008, 12:59PM
“Pete, Hull. You are dead right in what you say. I'm in haulage and the cost of going round is more or less the same as the bridge toll if we're talking Immingham/ Grimsby to Hull or Beverley etc. Therefore the cost saving of at least one hour in each direction and possibly more means the bridge is still the cheapest option by far when it comes to journeys like this with 44 tonners. I'm all for reducing or getting rid of the tolls altogether but hauliers should use arguments that hold water, not unsubstantiated nonsense. We have been and will continue to be our own worst enemies in this industry if we do not produce valid arguments.”
by Pete, Hull
Thursday, October 09 2008, 8:47AM
“I wish the hauliers would tell us how much it would cost if the bridge was not there. No haulier will cross the bridge if it was cheaper to go round. You have to realise the cost is one thing, crossing the bridge means they can do 4 runs a day instead of 2, meaning 2 more money making runs instead of the driver and lorry being on the road earning nothing in between paying jobs”