Campaigners and businesses are celebrating Humber Bridge toll reductions after the government agreed to slash car crossing charges to £1.50.
The government accepted a response from the four local authorities to write-off £150m of the outstanding Humber Bridge debt – which will allow the tolls to be reduced by April 1.
It means the cost of a one-way car journey across the bridge will be cut from £3 to £1.50. Similar reductions will apply to other vehicle categories, and under the new proposals toll charges for motorcycles will be scrapped completely.
Businesses have also voiced their support for the move, with reduced tolls saving them money on outgoing costs.
One local haulier is optimistic that lower tolls may even mean lower costs for his customers.
Andy Graves, owner of Graves Transport Ltd in Scunthorpe, said: “I spend between £1,500 and £2,000 a week on bridge tolls, so this reduction will make a massive difference to my business.
“I am really pleased to see the tolls being lowered, and the money we save will reflect on our customers’ costs. Lower tolls will mean that our rates for doing jobs will come down, and it will be a good saving for all parties involved.
“It should be a big help for local hauliers and vehicle- based firms, and could be a real lift for local business.”
Nigel Thompson, tipper manager for G and C Johnson hauliers in Scunthorpe, was also pleased to hear the news. He said: “Any decrease is a good thing, and our vehicles do use the Humber Bridge in their line of work.
“More hauliers will be happy to use the bridge now, because they will significantly save on outgoing costs when using it.
“I have a daughter at Hull University, and she will also be happier using the bridge when she comes home to Scunthorpe.”
The Telegraph, together with sister papers the Grimsby Telegraph and the Hull Daily Mail, ran the A Toll Too Far campaign from September 2008.
Thousands of supporters on both banks of the River Humber backed the calls to scrap crossing fees or reduce.
More than 13,000 readers signed up to support the campaign’s aims of stopping further increases in crossing charges.
Mel Cook, editor of the Scunthorpe Telegraph, said: “This is great news, and a great outcome after four years campaigning.
“It is thanks to the hard work of local businesses, MPs, authorities, campaigners and readers that we have achieved our goal.”
Businessman Malcolm Scott also initiated the “Our Humber Bridge” campaign in February 2011, and is pleased that tolls have been reduced.
He said: “This is excellent news, and has definitely been a long time coming. Hopefully we will be feeling the benefits of reduced tolls in both the immediate and long-term future.”
The news has also elicited a positive response from Lord Haskins of Skidby, chair of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
He said: “The resultant reduction in bridge tolls from April can do nothing but stimulate cross-estuary traffic for the betterment of industry and commerce in the region, making the Humber an even more attractive possibility for inward investors.”
Councillor Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said she is pleased that years of campaigning has paid off. She said: “It shows true partnership working.”
The region’s MPs are delighted with the news after years of campaigning and are excited for motorists to take advantage of cheaper tolls.
Nic Dakin, Labour MP for Scunthorpe, said: “I am very pleased that we have reached this stage, and we can now get on with running the bridge in the interest of local people and the local economy.”
Andrew Percy, Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole, described the announcement as “wonderful news”.
He added: “Whether it be people using the bridge to get to work, to access treatment or for leisure, I really think that people will notice and appreciate the change.”
Martin Vickers, Barton MP, said: “This has come after 25 years of persistent campaigning, and will be a great boost to the local economy.”
The parties involved also confirmed that the current 22-strong Humber Bridge Board would be slimmed down to just four politicians from each of the region’s local councils.
For the first time, the board will also include two representatives from the private sector.
Initially, they will not have any voting rights until new legislation is passed.
The four councils will also share responsibility for the bridge’s outstanding £182 million debt after North East Lincolnshire Council dropped its initial opposition to the idea.
The Humber Bridge Tolls, which will be slashed from April 1, will be reduced to the following levels:
Class 1 (Motor Cycles with or without sidecar): Free
Class 2 (Cars): £1.50
Class 3 (Goods vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5tonnes): £4.00
Class 4 (Goods vehicles above 7.5tonnes with 2 axles): £4
Class 5 (Goods vehicles above 7.5tonnes with 3 axles): £12
Class 6 (Goods vehicles above 7.5tonnes with 4 axles): £12
source – thisisscunthorpe
