Rallying call for bridge toll inquiry
CAMPAIGNERS have urged people to turn out in force to a public inquiry on the Humber Bridge tolls.
Humber Action Against Tolls has called for as many as possible to turn up to Willerby Manor, Willerby, on Tuesday to make their views clear to the planning inspector.
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The Humber Bridge toll booths
The independent inspector will preside over the inquiry into proposals by the Humber Bridge Board to increase the toll by 20p to £2.90 for a single car crossing.
The inquiry, which starts at 10am, is expected to last several days.
Jenny Walton, chairwoman of the action group, said: "I would love to see a real presence of peaceful objectors, which will be an impressive sight to the inspector."
The inquiry follows the launch of the Mail's A Toll Too Far campaign to abolish the tolls or reduce them to £1.
This can only be achieved if the Government drops the £350m debt owed on the bridge by the Humber Bridge Board.
More than 10,000 readers have signed the campaign's petition, launched in conjunction with our sister papers the Grimsby Telegraph and the Scunthorpe Telegraph.
Several organisations will give evidence at the inquiry, including the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Hull and Humber Ports, the National Alliance Against Tolls and the Scunthorpe Telegraph, which will speak on behalf of the Mail and the Grimsby Telegraph.
While only a limited number of the objectors can give evidence at the inquiry, campaigners said it was essential people made their views clear by attending nevertheless.
Mrs Walton said: "We want to send the message that it is not just 10,000 signatures on the Mail's petition, or the voice of the MPs, but individuals saying, 'Here we are, listen to us'.
"We want the inspector to know that we are not just opposing the toll rise, but the toll altogether.
"Our ultimate aim is for the bridge to be part of the highways system run by the Government, and it to pay for the maintenance like it would any other road."
9 Comments
by Charlie, York
Saturday, February 28 2009, 6:33PM
“I think everyone should for the next month cycle over the Humber Bridge as it is absolutely free. It will make you all fitter and send a shocking statement to the Humber Bridge Board and the Troll who increases the charges.”
by Charles, Cottingham
Saturday, February 28 2009, 2:09AM
“The bridge has been paid for, in capital terms. What is left is interest payments to banks. I suspect these banks are now in majority government ownership. So the public are paying money to pay off debts that are now public debts. This is stoopid.”
by Shaun, Anlaby
Friday, February 27 2009, 8:25PM
“I use the bridge daily to get to work, its already too expensive, so why urge people to attend an enquiry when the people it affects will be at work. Why can this not be held on a weekend? Then again what does it matter the enquiry will just allow the increase anyway. As for Spiro, do you drive over the bridge at all or are you one of the great unwashed who think anything with an engine should be banned because the exhaust fumes might hurt the flowers growing between your ears”
by Shaun, Anlaby
Friday, February 27 2009, 8:17PM
“I cross the bridge every day to go to work, its too expensive already, I would love to attend the inquiry however I have to work to be able to afford the tolls. Why can this not be held on a weekend, but then again what does it matter nothing will change, the tolls will be increased and we the ones that use the bridge will just have to put up with it. As for Spiro, do you use the bridge on a daily basis to go to work, or are you one of the great unwashed who demonstrate about anything with an engine because the exhaust fumes might hurt the flowers growing out of your ears”
by Norman, hull
Friday, February 27 2009, 5:50PM
“I still say the debt should be paid by the Labour Party and it's voters. After all they obeyed Barbara Castle.”
by phil, east hull
Friday, February 27 2009, 5:32PM
“The debt must be repayed so get over it! ( no pun intended! )”
by Spiro, Hull
Friday, February 27 2009, 3:05PM
“What about the people who think it SHOULD go up to £2.90? Do they get a say? If it means the bridge can be better maintained and those who work there have better conditions then I am all for it.”
by Chris, Walkington
Friday, February 27 2009, 12:26PM
“Yet another public enquiry where only the unemployed are able to attend as it starts at 10am on a week day... Absolutely Pathetic! The people who use the bridge every day to get to work can't attend again, as with the Beverley Bypass enquiry for the people who need to use it every day!”
by Chris Dunn, Walkington
Friday, February 27 2009, 12:23PM
“"The inquiry, which starts at 10am" So the only people able to attend yet another East Riding enquiry are the unemployed who don't have to use the bridge every day to get to work... Absolutely Pathetic! Exactly the same happened for the Beverley Bypass public/unemployed enquiry!”