'£1bn benefit if Humber Bridge tolls axed'

Scrapping the Humber Bridge tolls would benefit the local economy by £1bn, a new report has revealed.

The Humber Bridge Tolls Study, which has been seen by the Mail, claims the total benefit of abolishing the tolls would amount to £39m in 2009 and £1.1bn over the next 25 years.

It claims Hull could net a further £45m a year in retail opportunities, meaning that an end to the tolls could benefit the city to the tune of £84m a year.

The report, which has been commissioned by the four unitary authorities bordering the bridge, including Hull and the East Riding, was being officially launched at the House of Commons today.

However, the Mail received a leaked copy of the report, which catalogues a raft of benefits that could be brought to the region by abolishing, or reducing the tolls to £1 per crossing for cars.

The news comes after the Mail revealed businesses in the region spend more than £1m a year on bridge tolls.

"Abolition or a marked reduction in the toll will lead to a clear economic benefit to the city region over the next 25 years," said the report.

"It will improve the region's productivity, lead to greater employment opportunities for the region's residents, better networking between businesses and increase local competition."

The report was being launched at the Commons by Brigg and Goole MP Ian Cawsey.