Campaigners say the least well-off motorists would be hit hardest

The Mersey Tunnels Bill has sparked controversy with campaigners against it describing it as a "tax on people going to work".

If it is agreed, owner Merseytravel says the extra profits could be used for tunnel improvements.

But campaigners say they do not believe this would happen.

The bill does not propose a specific price rise but means Merseytravel could increase charges in future without needing the approval of Parliament.

Debt repayments

The campaigners, the Mersey Tunnels Users Association (MTUA), who are not allied to any political party, said the bill would turn the River Mersey into a "psychological and economic Berlin Wall".

According to Merseytravel about 25m vehicles use the tunnels each year, paying �1.20 to cross between Birkenhead and Liverpool.

The charges generate �30m in annual revenue, but the firm claims this is all used to cover operating costs, debt repayments and refurbishment costs.

However, the MTUA said any increase will cause difficulties for those who can least afford to pay them.

"It will hit the least well-off motorists hardest as an indiscriminate tax that falls equally on the rich and the poor," a spokesman said.

"If the bill is not stopped Merseyside will become unique in Britain, outside London."

Lord Hunt of Wirral is supporting the campaigners, saying original legislation promised tolls would be reduced or stopped once tunnel construction costs had been covered.

However, supporters of the bill say the revenue would help bring the tunnels up to European safety standards.