Last Updated: Monday, 4 February 2008, 19:03 GMT

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Increase in tunnel toll approved

The rises will take effect in April
Motorists using the Mersey Tunnel must soon pay more for the privilege after members of the Passenger Transport Authority voted to increase the toll.
From 6 April car drivers using the Kingsway and Queensway tunnels between Liverpool and Wirral will be charged £1.40 - an extra 10p.

Class 2 vehicles, which include small goods vehicles and coaches, will pay £2.80 - a £1.50 rise.

Operator Merseytravel said the rise would help to tackle road congestion.

Six councillors voted for the price hike, four voted against and eight abstained.

Users disappointed

The rise was criticised by the Mersey Tunnels Users Association.

"Tunnel Users are disappointed that the toll increase will go ahead," a spokesman said.

"We are however pleased that only six councillors voted for it, as on previous occasions all but one of the councillors have voted for toll increases.

"The tolls are a barrier that divides the region, and our hope is that one day there will be no tolls to increase."

The tunnel tolls were last raised in 2005, when 10p was added to Class 1 charges, which cover cars and motorcycles.

Last Updated: Monday, 4 February 2008, 19:03 GMT

E-mail this to a friend Printable version

Increase in tunnel toll approved

The rises will take effect in April
Motorists using the Mersey Tunnel must soon pay more for the privilege after members of the Passenger Transport Authority voted to increase the toll.
From 6 April car drivers using the Kingsway and Queensway tunnels between Liverpool and Wirral will be charged £1.40 - an extra 10p.

Class 2 vehicles, which include small goods vehicles and coaches, will pay £2.80 - a £1.50 rise.

Operator Merseytravel said the rise would help to tackle road congestion.

Six councillors voted for the price hike, four voted against and eight abstained.

Users disappointed

The rise was criticised by the Mersey Tunnels Users Association.

"Tunnel Users are disappointed that the toll increase will go ahead," a spokesman said.

"We are however pleased that only six councillors voted for it, as on previous occasions all but one of the councillors have voted for toll increases.

"The tolls are a barrier that divides the region, and our hope is that one day there will be no tolls to increase."

The tunnel tolls were last raised in 2005, when 10p was added to Class 1 charges, which cover cars and motorcycles.

save your money , use the runcorn bridge, the fresh air will do you good

I don't know why everyone moans. When it was first open, the price was higher than we're currently paying at the moment.

Under £1.50 is a small price to pay for such a 'luxury' of using the tunnel - and with it's new safety hatches too, you're looked after well in the case of an accident.

Under £1.50 is a small price to pay for such a 'luxury' of using the tunnel - and with it's new safety hatches too, you're looked after well in the case of an accident.Quite. How far can you drive before you have used the first £1.50 worth of petrol?

The Mersey Tunnel Users Association were holding a meeting about this in Wallasey last night.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7366954.stm

there'll be a protest against the tolls at tomorrows walk through the tunnel, in response to the government announcement that residents of Dartford and Thurrock only need to pay 20p to use the Dartford tunnel, but all others pay £1.50.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7453298.stm

Blackwall tunnel and Rotherithe Tunnel in London are both free to use so i hope this protest goes well tommorrow. I think the price they charge is daylight robbery :disgust:

Blackwall tunnel and Rotherithe Tunnel in London are both free to use so i hope this protest goes well tomorrow. I think the price they charge is daylight robbery :disgust:

Sadly Lottie using them every week as I do,they are both death traps as there are no exits out in case of fire. Somebody told me they are so old they are a death trap waiting to happen.
I thought my Dad told me the tunnels when built where supposed to be fee paying for a small amount of time untill the cost had been recouped then they would be free, maybe I misheard him.

I don't know why everyone moans. When it was first open, the price was higher than we're currently paying at the moment.

Under £1.50 is a small price to pay for such a 'luxury' of using the tunnel - and with it's new safety hatches too, you're looked after well in the case of an accident.


the problem is if you're using them twice a day to commute. when you're looking at fifty squid a month, it becomes a drain.

the tunnels are a gold mine, and merseytravel know it. did you know that a low percentage of proffits from the tunnel are needed to maintain them?

what about insurance, tunnel police, wages, council charges, etc...I live in a city that surrounds a massive natural harbour , to get to one side to the other in rush hour is a nightmare relying on the bridges, a tunnel ( which will come and be tolled ) would be a godsend and the fifty a month will be well worth it as it will expand the area I will be able to work in,

Yet theres no complaints about the bus fares 1.50 a journey?

Can't wait till I finally drive, I want to use the tunnel to get to the Wirral since the trains are too slow.

I think the price they charge is daylight robbery :disgust:


What if you're going through in the night though? ;)

Makes no difference, there's never daylight in the tunnels. I don't object to the £1.40 fee, just like I don't object to paying for the Dartford Crossing or the M6 Toll. It's all part of the fun. You can't expect owt for nowt.

Not sure if it's just the Merseyrail Mersey crossing or the Queensway tunnel too, but isn't water being continually pumped out of one or both of them? What with maintenance and policing, I think it's a small price to pay but only use it now and then. If using it for work, then surely that is something that has to be taken into account at the acceptance of the job/wages stage.

Exactly. I do remember this little toll bridge somewhere in Lincolnshire, that was 25p to cross. It was hard to keep a straight face at the toll booth as I ferretted around for the coins.

I think the one over at Portmerion/Porthmadog (prisoner country) is even less than that. :)