 Opponents say the bill is a "tax on going to work" |
A bill that will lead to an increase in the toll for motorists using the tunnels under the River Mersey is to be contested in the House of Lords. If the Mersey Tunnels Bill is passed, Merseytravel will be able to increase tolls and use the profits elsewhere.
But campaigners against the bill say it is unfair, saying it is "a tax on people going to work".
Public opposition to the bill is being marshalled by the Mersey Tunnels Users Association (MTUA), formed last year.
'Motorists hard-hit'
MTUA, who do not affiliate themselves to any particular political party, already has 5,000 members.
"This will turn the whole length of the River Mersey into a psychological and economic Berlin Wall," a spokesman said.
"And it will hit the least well-off motorists hardest as an indiscriminate tax that falls equally on the rich and the poor.
"If the Bill is not stopped Merseyside will become unique in Britain, outside London."
David Hunt, a peer and former Conservative cabinet minister, will lead the opposition at the third reading of the bill in the House of Lords on Wednesday. Lord Hunt of Wirral is supporting the opposition groups.
He says original legislation promised the tolls would be reduced or stopped once construction costs had been covered.
Lord Smith of Leigh, Greater Manchester, will push the bill forward on behalf of Merseytravel.
Supporters of the bill say the revenue from an increased toll would help bring the tunnels up to European safety standards.
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This will turn the whole length of the River Mersey into an economic Berlin Wall 
