Tamar 'Tag' admin fee increase to be reviewed in January after public concern
The Tamar Tag's admin fee could rise to £2 a month under new proposals
A special meeting has been called following anger over a proposed admin fee rise in the cost of using the Tamar Crossing.
It was announced last week by Cornwall and Plymouth Councils that the admin fee would be increased from 80 pence to £2 a month, despite long term plans to reduce the tolls.
The Tamar Bridge & Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee (TBTFJC) are now expected to meet next month at Plymouth City Council to review the proposals.
Cllr Andrew Long of Cornwall Council and Cllr Anne Freeman of Plymouth City Council, who jointly chair the committee, said:
"We have been concerned that this recommendation requires more scrutiny and have been working hard with officers and members since the meeting on 5th December to ensure this happens prior to any scrutiny and voting by both authorities.
"Any recommendation will then feed into the budget-setting process from both Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council prior to the budgets going to each authority in February."
The committee said last week the rise would help cover the quarter of a million pounds that the tags themselves cost as well as the 50-thousand pounds a year spent on postage.
They added that the fee also covers the cost of banking charges, the online payments system, web hosting, and the customer services teams.
The committee also said that they remained committed to pursing a toll-free future for the crossings but that they had to ensure the service remains reliable, safe and sustainable.
The decision to increase the admin fee will now be reviewed by councillors in January.