Plan approved to increase tolls on Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry

Despite last year's appeal, an independent inspector has backed the case to increase the cost to use the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry,

Campaigners, at the hearing in October (see video report below), had argued it amounted to an unfair tax on those who live closest and use it most often - but the Secretary of State for Transport has now approved the rise requested by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee.

It means tolls will be going up for all vehicles - cars and vans will pay £3 (up from £2.60), whilst those who hold a Tamar Tag will pay £1.50 per crossing (up from £1.30).

What did the inspector say?

Tim Brimelow wrote in his decision letter : "The Secretary of State notes and agrees with the Inspector’s conclusion that the crossings are, and are required to be, self-financing, whilst providing a safe efficient and reliable service. Toll income makes up over 90% of the company income and this is currently insufficient to meet the expenditure necessary to provide now and into the future, safe, reliable and efficient crossings at the bridge and the ferry. The Secretary of State recognises the effects of a toll increase on users; however, she agrees with the Inspector that the evidence supporting the need for a toll increase is compelling."

What have the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee said?

"Having considered the evidence from the application and the Public Local Inquiry, together with the feedback from the public consultation, the Secretary of State for Transport has approved the application.

"In the letter advising the decision, the Department for Transport said that the Secretary of State accepted that the proposed increases are necessary and proportionate. A copy of the Inspector’s report is available to view on our website.

"The decision will mean a cash toll of £3.00 for cars. The discounts for pre-paid crossings using the TamarTag scheme will continue to be 50% of the full toll, resulting in a tag toll for cars and vans of £1.50. Tolls for other vehicles will broadly increase pro rata.

"The Department of Transport will now complete the legal process necessary for a formal Toll Order. This process can take a little time. When completed, we will seek to increase rates as soon as practical after we have full authority to do so.

"Work is also taking place to develop a strategy and policy to deliver improved benefits for local people and make the necessary changes to legislation that will allow this to happen. This will include continuing to pursue the ability to apply RPI to tolls and smooth out the spikes and unpredictability of Toll Revisions, as well as seeking cheaper tolls for local people."

What did objectors say?

There were 412 formal objections to the increases - as well as a more than 6,000-strong petition, by the Tamar Tolls Action Group which has listed all of its opening and closing statements here. The inspector has summarised all of the objections they heard in the report:

Management of the crossings

The crossings are poorly and inefficiently managed, with excessive expenditure on staff, operations, and equipment. Traffic has dropped, but revenue has increased, spending is out of control, and there has been an increase in borrowing which was historically (pre-2000) never done. Maintenance is excessive and future work programmes are unnecessary, over the top and too costly.

Visitor centre/offices/refurbishment

The new visitor centre, offices and control buildings were unnecessary, expensive and do not contribute to the core function of delivering safe, reliable and efficient crossings.

Ferry decarbonisation

This is not required by legislation and is an unnecessary expense for current crossing users and does not contribute to the core function of delivering safe, reliable and efficient crossings.

Bridge fire protection

This is not required by legislation and is an unnecessary expense for current crossing users and does not contribute to the core function of delivering safe, reliable and efficient crossings.

Open road tolls

The current toll taking methods are out of date, inefficient, slow and archaic. Open road (or free-flowing) tolling would save time, reduce congestion, reduce pollution and save significantly on staffing costs.

Toll booth refurbishment

The toll booth refurbishment is unnecessary, expensive and does not contribute to the core function of delivering safe, reliable and efficient crossings.

Costs

The toll is too expensive already and will be too expensive with this increase. Particularly given current cost of living pressures and local wages.

Effect on the local economy

South-east Cornwall is already economically disadvantaged, and increases to the toll will worsen this situation, discouraging investment, discouraging travel and harming those whose incomes are already well below the national average. Businesses are considering relocating to avoid the crossings, and the toll charges are a factor when considering where to locate new businesses.

A tax on access to facilities and services

Residents of south-east Cornwall rely on the crossings to access education, health, employment, leisure and other facilities and services. The increased toll is an unfair tax on local residents, and already has a chilling effect on employment opportunities if a crossing is involved.

Local discounts should apply

There should be a local discount scheme, similar to that provided at other tolled crossings around the country. In addition, visitors and tourists should pay more. OFFICIAL

Staff are overpaid

Staff costs and wages are excessive. Pay rises have been excessive.

Poor comparison to other crossings (tolled and otherwise)

The toll compares poorly to other tolled crossings around the country on a permile- basis.

Inappropriate cross-subsidy

The ferry costs significantly more to run than the bridge, but only brings in an eighth of the income, meaning that bridge users are unfairly subsidising the ferry.

The bridge has been paid for

Income from the tolls has exceeded the cost of building the bridge many times over, and it was widely understood that tolls would end when this happened.

The crossings should be centrally funded

Central government should be funding the bridge if not the bridge and the ferry. The bridge is a key part of the A38, which is otherwise maintained by National Highways. It is unfair for local residents to pay for a strategic, national transport link. Other previously tolled crossings have had their tolls removed, and others offer more generous, likely lossleading local resident discounts.

Read more: Should tourists pay more to use the Tamar Bridge than locals?

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