Prime minister refuses to commit to scrapping Tamar tolls

The prime minister said any application for toll revision "will be considered... at the right opportunity"

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has refused to commit to scrapping tolls on a bridge and ferry service which connects Devon and Cornwall.

Mr Sunak was asked at Prime Minister's Questions by a Cornwall MP to remove the charges as part of levelling-up.

Sheryll Murray, Conservative MP for South-East Cornwall, urged the prime minister to lose "this extra tax".

He said any application for toll revision "will be considered... at the right opportunity".

'Real opportunity'

Ms Murray said: "Would the prime minister make our part of our country more competitive by losing this extra tax and help our community level up?"

In response Mr Sunak said it "will be considered by the transport secretary at the right opportunity".

He added: "I am told there are also plans in place to create a new locally led focal group of key stakeholders to ensure there's a real opportunity to make their views heard about crossings in the future."

The call comes as a Cornish haulage firm said the toll was affecting his business.

Peter Newman, director of Newman Haulage, said the costs of the toll charges to his company and the delays it caused meant it could cost him thousands of pounds a year.

Peter Newman of Newman Haulage wants the tolls to be scrapped

He said: "A better system would be no toll or short of no toll, or a toll collection system which allows free-flowing traffic.

"We'd like to be able to just drive through with an automated number plate recognition system so we can go about our business."

The current charges are £2.60 for cars and £1.30 for the pre-paid electronic Tamar Tag scheme.

Toll increases to £3 for cars and £1.50 for the Tamar Tag scheme have recently been approved by local councils.