TAMAR tolls have raked in almost £18 million in a year, with revenue up eight per cent – but up to £500,000 could be being lost annually through concessions.

Such figures are contained in the latest quarterly report put together by Philip Robinson, Chief Officer for the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry, which will be put before the Joint Committee of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry on Friday.

The report reveals combined income from the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry reached £17.9 million in the 12 months to the end of August – £1.32m more than the previous year.

However, as the Joint Committee prepares to consider the report, officials are examining whether some toll concessions should be changed or removed as they look to protect the crossings’ future finances.

The potential cost of the concessions is put at up to £500,000 a year.

Any move to reduce bus concessions, however, could have major consequences, with transport departments not expected to support such a change. Officials warn it could result in some bus routes being cancelled, particularly in areas where public transport is already limited.

A further report on the concessions is expected in December, ahead of the 2027/28 budget-setting process.

The issue comes as the latest figures show traffic across the Tamar crossings has remained broadly steady.

There were 8.24 million vehicle movements over the latest 12-month period, down slightly from 8.29m the year before.

Despite the small fall in traffic, revenue has climbed, with average income generated per vehicle increasing from £2 to £2.18.

During June, July and August alone, the crossings generated £4.86m, compared with £4.85m during the same period last year.

The increase in annual income follows toll rises introduced in May 2025.

But officials are warning the current revenue picture could change. The report highlights a continued decline in full-price cash and card payments – a trend which was not anticipated in previous forecasts.

External pressures, including fuel prices, could continue to affect the number of motorists paying the full rate, while the increasing use of TamarTags is also changing the payment mix.

A revised income forecast is due to be presented to the Joint Committee in December.

Members will also be asked to consider the wider financial implications of the concessions, with further stakeholder engagement planned before any recommendations are brought forward.

The report says transport departments have indicated that reducing bus concessions would not be supported because of the potential impact on services.

The warning over possible route cancellations could prove particularly significant for communities where alternative public transport is already scarce.

The concessions review will therefore form part of wider budget discussions as the Joint Committee looks towards 2027/28.

Friday’s meeting comes as Tamar Crossings continues work on its longer-term Tamar 2050 programme, including plans for open-road tolling.

Meanwhile, the Torpoint Ferry has recorded particularly strong traffic growth, with eastbound vehicle movements up 5.4 per cent over the latest 12 months.

Traffic during the latest three-month period was up 9.6 per cent year-on-year, despite ferry availability falling short of its 99 per cent target.