PR 3189
On Wednesday 17 October, North Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet will discuss local concerns on Humber Bridge tolls and post office closures.
At the Cabinet meeting, progress will be outlined on the campaign against Humber Bridge toll charges. The four Humber councils, and the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, have now agreed to come together. This follows a series of meetings in recent weeks. More are planned as the momentum gathers pace and other partners come on board.
The four unitary councils in the Humber area have now agreed to commission independent research. This is a major breakthrough. The research will be wide-ranging and will take a number of months to complete. It will assess the impact tolls are having on the economic performance, investment and jobs on both banks of the Humber. Crucially it will consider what would be possible if tolls were removed.
There is little prospect of influencing ministers without this research. Its importance is vital to making progress. While high toll charges remain in place, the Humber region, including North Lincolnshire, is unlikely to realise its economic potential.
Another item on the council’s Cabinet agenda is planned post office closures in North Lincolnshire. Those set for closure have now been identified. The Cabinet report will outline what actions are open to the council to make its objections known.
Cllr Mark Kirk, Leader of the council said:
"The Cabinet meeting next Wednesday is an ideal opportunity for us to revisit the issues of the Humber Bridge tolls and post office closures and then find out the latest developments on both of them. Importantly though it’ll also let us look at work in progress and see what stage we’re at in taking forward our concerns.
"Let’s be clear – post office closures and the Humber Bridge tolls directly affect many of North Lincolnshire’s residents. We’ve been working very closely with our neighbouring councils who feel as strongly as I do about the amount of money people have to pay to cross the Humber Bridge. We don’t want this issue to simply disappear and we’ll keep digging away at it until fairer tolls are introduced."
You can read the reports on these and other agenda items on the council’s website, www.northlincs.gov.uk.
The Cabinet meeting takes place at Pittwood House on Ashby Road in Scunthorpe. It starts at 6pm and is open to the public. All visitors are welcome. For more details of the meeting please contact Mel Holmes, democratic services manager on 01724 296230,or email mel.homes@northlincs.gov.uk.