TOLLS on the Tamar Bridge look set to rise by 60p if you’re paying in cash and 30p on the Tamar Tag.
The price increase, which will also affect the Torpoint Ferry, is necessary, says the joint committee, to secure the financial future of the crossings. A significant cash shortfall has been caused by the impact of Covid 19 and an ongoing reduction in traffic levels on the Bridge and Ferry.
The government has declined a request to contribute toward the maintenance of the two crossings, says the committee, and on current levels the organisation will face a deficit of almost £7 million by March 2025.
A public consultation on the proposal to revise tolls will be carried out in January.
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“The crossings over the Tamar are crucial to local residents and businesses, as well as to people visiting Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall” said Joint Chairs, Councillors Jonathan Drean and Martin Worth.
“We recognise that any decision to increase tolls, particularly at this time, will have a big impact on local people, but we are facing unprecedented financial challenges and need to ensure that we have funding to continue to deliver these services.
“During the past 12 months we have looked in detail at all areas of spending, including staffing, and a range of options to address the financial shortfall. In July we wrote to the Government requesting that National Highways (formerly Highways England) contribute towards the costs of maintaining the Bridge. Unfortunately the Minister chose not to accept this request.
“In accordance with the Tamar Bridge Act both crossings are funded on a “user pays” principle which means that our only source of revenue is toll charges. As traffic is still less than 90% of pre Covid levels, without ongoing funding support from the Government the only current viable option to secure the future of the crossings is to revise tolls.
“As a result we have instructed officers to begin local consultation to seek the views of people using the crossings on a 30% increase on both tag and cash tolls for all users.”