Toll fight
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"FOR whom the road tolls?" is the title of a 20-page booklet setting out the case for government assistance with the cost of estuarial river crossings and produced by a consortium comprising the Mersey, Tyne, Dartford and Humber crossing authorities which operate public tolled bridges and tunnels.
The campaign, they say, is generating significant support from the AA RAC and other road-user organisations.
The booklet presents a strong case for Government aid—not to allow tolls to be abolished but merely kept to reasonable levels in future. It includes evidence, to substantiate its claims and to demonstrate inconsistencies in the Government's "user-mustpay" policy.
Economic circumstances have changed since the passing of legislation authorising the financing and construction of bridges and tunnels controlled by the consortium.
Members recognise their obligations under legislation but believe the Government should now recognise the importance of tolled estuarial crossings as part of the national road network and review its policy.