Council attends inquiry into Humber bridge toll increase (April 2011)
The council attended an inquiry in March 2011 after the Department of Transport received an application from the Humber Bridge Board to increase the toll of the Humber Bridge by 11 per cent.
The four unitary councils are waiting for a decision to be made by the Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker MP on whether the Humber Bridge Board can implement a toll increase.
The council strongly objects to any increase in Humber Bridge Tolls. The economic and social impact of the high toll remains as relevant today to the Humber region as it did two years ago.
The Humber Bridge Board has applied for an increase, which would see the cost of a return journey by car rise to £6, and the return charge for lorries increase to £40.60.
The announcement marks the first time that the Treasury has held a review of the tolls since the bridge opened in 1981.
Simon Driver, the Chief Executive of North Lincolnshire Council, attended the inquiry to give evidence on behalf of all four unitary councils in the region.
He reviewed the Humber Bridge Board’s accounts and found there is no need for an increase in the toll at this time.
The three-day inquiry looked at objections to the toll increase from residents and business leaders across the region, as well as the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Humber Action Against Tolls and local councils.
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Kirk and cross-party local MPs provided evidence at the inquiry. They remain clear in their view that any proposed toll increase should be rejected until the outcome of the current review by the Treasury and the Department for Transport into the tolls and the debt.
Cllr Mark Kirk, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council said:
“Yet again the Bridge Board is showing just how out of touch they are with the local economy and hard working local people.
“It’s about the whole future of the Humber, our prosperity and jobs. Everyone is united on the need for action on the tolls. I have always said the tolls are an unfair tax on the people and business of the Humber. Without a doubt they will hold us back economically.
Regional and Local Transport Minister, Norman Baker MP said:
“We know that there is a great deal of interest in the tolls on the Humber Bridge, and that a variety of individuals, business and local groups are likely to have views on the Bridge Board’s proposals.
“It is only right that any parties with an interest are able to put forward their objections. That is why a public inquiry stage was undertaken where cases for and against any increase were heard in full.”