Freeze For Mersey Tunnel Toll Costs?
Merseytravel will sit down today to discuss prices at the tolls. It's been proposed they would stay at £1.70 for cars and fast tag users will save an extra 20p.
Officials will discuss proposals to freeze the Mersey Tunnel Tolls at a meeting today.
It's thought the price will remain at £1.70 - and users could save £5 a week under a new initiative set to benefit people living and working locally.
A number of proposals will be considered by the Merseytravel Committee today followed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority tomorrow. They include:
- A freeze on cash tolls- keeping it £1.70 for car users for the third consecutive year, with freezes for other classes of vehicles too. - An Increase in Fast Tag discount of 20p for car users, with proportionate discounts for other types of vehicles. This reduces the Fast Tag toll for car users to £1.20 – 50p cheaper than paying the cash toll. This means that a commuter switching to Fast Tag from cash toll could save £5 a week. - All emergency services liveried vehicles to be allowed free travel through the Mersey Tunnels - Free travel through the Mersey Tunnels between 10pm on 24th December and 6am on 26th December, recognising that alternative public transport options aren’t available during these times
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said:
“These proposals reflect our commitment to offering tunnel users the best deal we can – now and into the future. I am hoping our future discussions on tolling can come up with even better value for users.”
Councillor Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council said:
While we would still like to overturn the Mersey Tunnels Act to give local residents full control over the setting of tolls, in the meantime, we are reducing the weekly cost of a Fast Tag by £2 a week for commuters, and freezing the cash tolls for visitors and occasional users”
Councillor Liam Robinson, Chair of the Merseytravel Committee said:
“Fast Tags are available to everyone but we know they are especially valued by local residents and local businesses who we know use the tunnels most frequently. Targeting discounts through the Fast Tag scheme is the best way to help regular and local users.
“The savings for even infrequent users are still significant at the rates of discount we hope to be able to offer next year. I would urge all tunnel users to consider Fast Tag even if they are not using the tunnels every day.”