Tamar tolls increase hearing finishes early

A final decision on the Tamar crossing tolls is set to be made by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh

A hearing to discuss increasing tolls for using the Tamar bridge or Torpoint Ferry has finished ahead of schedule.

Tamar Crossings said the public local inquiry into the proposals to raise fares for cars and vans from £2.60 to £3.00 or from £1.30 to £1.50 for Tamar Tag finished at Plymouth's Copthorne Hotel on Tuesday.

The hearing, which started the same day, had been due to last four days but was brought to an early close after the independent inspector leading it heard from all parties giving evidence, Tamar Crossings said.

It added a report would be prepared by the inspector before Transport Secretary Louise Haigh makes a final decision, which is not expected until December.

Ahead of the hearing's beginning on Tuesday, protesters from the Tamar Toll Action Group staged a march to voice their concerns about the proposed rises.

Scott Slavin, vice-chairman of the group, said increasing the tolls would put extra strain on people's finances.

Councillor Martin Worth, joint chairman of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee, said the plans had been put forward as revenues and traffic levels have dropped since the Covid pandemic.