Campaigners say commuters will be penalised

The Mersey Tunnels Bill was passed by 75 votes to 65 in its third reading in the House of Lords on Monday.

The bill - enabling tolls to rise in line with inflation to fund other transport schemes - is due to receive the Royal Assent before the weekend.

Opponents argued it would penalise commuters travelling to work in Liverpool each day.

The bill allows Merseytravel to increase tolls by the rate of inflation without having to seek government approval.

Supporters said it was needed to help fund improvements to bring the tunnels up to European safety standards.

Tory peer Lord Hunt of Wirral spearheaded the campaign to stop the Bill, moving a number of amendments, which he later withdrew.

One would have removed what he described as the "wish-list", allowing money raised to be used for a range of purposes other than the tunnels.