Number Bridge tolls creep up
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PROPOSED toll increases on the Humber Bridge will be insignificant to commercial vehicle operators, according to the Freight Transport Association.
But they underline the nonsense of tolls and the need to abolish them, FTA Northern regional assistant secretary Geoff Dunning says.
The Humber Bridge Board is to increase commercial vehicle tolls to the maximum allowed by the Government when the bridge was opened in 1981.
Goods vehicles with four or more axles will have their toll increased from £7.50 to .1:8 from January 1; those with three axles up to 0.60 from 1:6 and goods vehicles with two axles i:5.20 (14.50 now).
But the effect of the increase will be almost totally wiped out because the Humber Bridge Board is increasing the amount of discount it gives to vehicle owners who buy crossing. tickets in bulk, Dunning says.
Taking the prices for the heaviest commercial vehicles — with the effect of the toll increase and the increase in discount from five to 10 per cent in January — there will only be a six pence rise to 1:7.20, he says.
"With the .E50,000 interest a minute the Humber is -acruing to its debt, the impact of this will be non-existent", he said. The whole system of tolls is an anachronism and needs to be abolished, he says.