Tamar crossings tolls need to rise say bosses

Tolls rose in January with car drivers paying £2.60, up from £2

Tolls on the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferries need to rise again, say managers.

Tolls for cars could rise to £3.20 without a tag says a consultation document from the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee.

The committee blamed "unprecedented" inflation, interest rates, and escalating energy costs.

Tolls rose in January with car drivers paying £2.60, up from £2.

The committee said traffic was also still 10% below pre-pandemic figures

The two critical crossings over the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall together handle about 18 million vehicles a year, comprising 16 million on the bridge and 2 million on the ferries.

The committee said traffic was also still 10% below pre-pandemic figures, on the bridge and ferries that rely solely on toll revenue.

As a result, the organisation faces a mounting deficit with "completely depleted" reserves projected by 2024/2025.

Five options are under consideration:

• Increase tolls for cars to £3.00 cash and £1.50 tag: This option has "very little" financial resilience.

• Increase tolls for cars to £3.20 cash and £1.60 tag: This option provides more financial stability while keeping the 50% discount for tags.

• Increase tolls for cars to £3.00 cash and £1.80 tag: Maintaining the ceiling price as first option, but reducing tag discounts for added resilience.

• Increase bridge tolls for cars to £3.00 cash and £1.50 tag and ferry tolls to £4.00 cash and £2.00 tag: Reflecting the higher ferry operating costs, this option may shift traffic patterns.

• No change in tolls: This "do nothing" option poses "very significant" risks for future service delivery.

Neither Plymouth City Council nor Cornwall Council, the owners of the crossings, could provide financial assistance due to their own financial constraints, said the committee.

On Saturday 7 and Tuesday 10 October those using either of the crossings will be invited to take part in a survey.

Those paying cash will be handed a leaflet and questionnaire with tag users receiving an email or letter in the week following their crossings asking them to complete the same form.

MPs, haulage industry representatives, parish and town councils, emergency services, interest groups and local politicians, will also be contacted.

Information about the consultation, including a copy of the consultation leaflet and a link to the questionnaire, will be available on the committee's website from 00:01 BST on Saturday.