PR
3347
The
Government has now corrected its response to the petition, now closed, on Humber
Bridge tolls. The petition on the 10 Downing Street website attracted over 8,300
signatures.
However,
the
'new' response from the Government again fails to address the impact
of tolls on the economies of Hull, East Riding, North and North East Lincolnshire.
That
this should again be the case is disappointing, given that so many people took
the time and trouble to sign the petition. Why this is the case, is unclear.
North
Lincolnshire Council recognises the Government has written off and suspended
a large amount of the debt, but this does nothing to reduce the tolls that have
to be paid by individuals and businesses to cross the bridge.
Even
with discounts an individual still has to find around £100 a month to use the
bridge
for work, and for business the costs is enormous. Ministers constantly fail
to address this matter.
Given
ministers unwillingness, as can be seen in the response to petition, to address
the cost of crossing the bridge and the impact of tolls on the economic performance
and prosperity of the Humber region, the four councils have
now agreed to commission independent research .
Cllr
Mark Kirk, leader of the council, said:
"It’s now absolutely clear that ministers will not budge on the tolls, which
is sad but at least we now know what we need to do. We will commission the
research and present the findings to ministers, hopefully in the summer.
"Let’s hope then that they will realise just how much of a barrier the tolls
really are.
"It is going to take time to win this argument, but we will keep plugging
away. I will not be put off and am determined to see justice on the issue.
"As long as we have high tolls, this part of the UK will be held back – and
that is not acceptable."
For further information
please contact: Stacey Dickens on 01724 296364. Email stacey.dickens@northlincs.gov.uk.