Local business fears over planned bridge toll hike

Richard Bamber said cost pressures were creating a "perfect storm" for business owners

A plan to hike the tolls on two major bridges in Halton will only exacerbate the "perfect storm" faced by businesses, say local firms.

Councillors have been recommended to rubber-stamp proposals to increase the fee to cross the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee crossings by 20% from April.

A consultation, ahead of a full-council vote on the measures, received 10,391 responses - of which 77% expressed a "negative" sentiment about the planned rise.

Richard Bamber, managing partner of Runcorn coach-hire firm,Anthony's Travel, said he "feared" for businesses in the area.

Mr Bamber, who is also a board member for Halton Chamber of Commerce, said his business caters to groups whom he described as "not the most affluent".

"Even the smallest price hikes can make a big difference," he said.

The toll increases would be the first since the Mersey Gateway opened in 2017

He said a nominal rise in prices "can be just that tipping point between going out, or deciding that actually school's not going to run a trip, or the senior citizens are not going to go to the theatre, because the cost of the coach."

The cost for unregistered cars will increase from £2 to £2.40 per crossing, while fines for non-payment would also go up from £40 to £50.

The price rise is the first imposed since the Mersey Gateway, which crosses River Mersey to link Runcorn with Widnes in Cheshire, was opened in 2017.

Mr Bamber's views are reflected by other organisations who responded to the consultation.

Businesses and charities who shared their views suggested either companies would be forced to foot the bill, or staff and customers would need to take the hit - both of which could impact costs and the ability to attract and retain staff.

Mr Bamber said the Ukraine crisis and its impact on energy bills, the increase in national insurance, and inflation, had resulted in a "perfect storm" for business-owners.

He added that while the bridges have drastically reduced congestion in Halton, they can act as a "barrier" for new staff.

"If we're advertising for a new coach driver, and somebody in St Helens or somewhere like that is advertising at the same time, the chances are they're going to go to them," he said.

Mr Bamber also said costs for the Mersey tunnel between Liverpool and Wirral were significantly lower - around £5 for a coach, compared to £8 in Halton.

Councillor Stef Nelson, of Halton Borough Council, previously said: "We always knew that we would need to adjust tolls for inflation, to meet the costs of maintaining and operating the bridges.

"The recommendations from the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board set out a sustainable approach to doing that."