Bridge bosses 'deeply disappointed' after tolls debate
BBCManagers of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry crossings between Devon and Cornwall say they have been left "deeply disappointed" after a minister said tolls were "essential" to their future.
Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood told MPs charges on the bridge and ferry were a "financial burden" but there was "no specific central government funding stream for the upkeep of tolled crossings".
The government has faced calls to scrap tolls and those who run the bridge are campaigning for funding.
Following a Parliamentary debate, the joint chairs of the Tamar Crossings said: "The government's response makes it clear that they expect the crossings to be fully funded by toll income."
Last year, cash charges rose to £3 per crossing and a consultation is to be held over a proposal to increase the monthly administration fee for people who use an electronic tag system.
Cost is 'significant'
Anna Gelderd, Labour MP for south-east Cornwall, urged the government to provide grant funding and debt relief so tolls could be removed or reduced.
"For many local residents and businesses, one or more of those crossings are used routinely, sometimes multiple times a day," she told MPs.
"The total cost is significant, and that is simply to participate in ordinary life."
Ben Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for north Cornwall, said "not a penny spent was from National Highways" on recent works to resurface the bridge.
Fred Thomas, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, said the crossings were "integral to our nation's defence and our ability to carry out its taskings".
The transport minister said the bridge and ferry were not the responsibility of National Highways.
"Although increases in toll charges are understandably disappointing for the public, they remain essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the crossings' operation," she said.
The Tamar Crossings joint committee said it was disappointed by the government's approach.
It said in a statement: "The joint committee remains committed to the long-term ambition of abolishing tolls.
"In the meantime, we must balance the books while ensuring the crossings remain safe, reliable and financially sustainable for users."
It added: "Rising costs for maintenance, repairs, and the replacement of ageing mechanisms make this increasingly challenging."
