Plan to hike bridge tolls by 40 per cent

THE cost of crossing the Tamar Bridge could be hiked by 40 per cent, from 50p to 70p for concessionary users.

Bridge bosses are urging Plymouth and Saltash residents to get involved in a concessionary crossing toll consultation process and voice their views on the proposed increase.

Andrew Vallance, business manager at the bridge over the River Tamar, said there will be a long consultation process in the autumn

The Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Committee is looking at the possibility of increasing the TamarTag tolls across the bridge from 50p to 70p for every journey from January, next year - a 40 per cent rise.

The committee is also looking at the possibility of increasing cash tolls in 2010.

Saltash's Caradon district councillor Joe Ellison told a Cornish newspaper he thought the plans were 'appalling'.

Mr Vallance said: “It has been more than a decade since concessions were changed.

“If it goes up it means that the travel costs of those who use the bridge will go up – but, like everything else, we need the money to fund the maintenance of the facility.

“Inflation may eventually affect the costs after a decade – but the plans are only at a draft stage so far.

“There is a degree of public consultation to take place in the autumn and I urge anyone to join in with that process.”

Bridge general manager David List revealed the proposed increases to committee members at a meeting in Saltash Guildhall this week.