Humber Bridge tolls frozen for five years

A one-way car journey across the Humber Bridge dropped from £3 to £1.50 in 2012 after the government cut £150m of the bridge's outstanding debt

Tolls for the Humber Bridge are to be frozen for the next five years, officials have announced.

Motorists pay £1.50 for a one-way car journey across the bridge or £1.35 for drivers using an electronic tag.

The Humber Bridge Board said there would be no increase until 2021 despite plans to install a glass lift at the bridge and create a visitor centre.

Chairman Rob Waltham said the toll had been "significant in growing the Humber economy".

A planning application for the proposed tourist development at the site was submitted in June.

Project costs have not been released by the board but Bridge Master Peter Hill said it would be financed by the bridge board and "not be funded from bridge tolls".

The tolls were halved in April 2012 after the government cut £150m from the bridge's outstanding debt.

Humber Bridge Facts

• Construction began in July 1972, taking eight years to complete

• It is held up by 44,117 miles (71,000km) of steel wire - almost enough to travel twice around the world

• The bridge is 7,283 ft (2,220m) long from shore-to-shore

• It weighs more than 500,000 tonnes

• With a central span of 4,626 ft (1,410m), it is the seventh longest suspension bridge in the world

• It was officially opened by HM the Queen on 17 July 1981

Source: Humber Bridge Board