Bridge tolls could rise as high as £3.20

MOTORISTS using the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferries are to be asked their views on potential toll rises which could push the cost of going across the bridge to £3.20.

- WILLIAM TELFORD

The joint committee which oversees the crossings is consulting on potential hikes after being stung with high inflation, soaring interest rates and a reduction in traffic on the bridge and ferries.

The committee said it will continue to fight for Government funding but needs to consult on a range of potential price hikes. It stressed no decision had yet been taken and one of the options is to not change the current pricing structure – it currently costs cars £2.60 in cash, or £1.30 with a TamarTag.

Other options include:

■An increase of about 15% on both cash and tag tolls (car tolls to £3 cash/£1.50 tag)

■A hybrid increase – 23% on cash tolls with a reduced discount of 40% on tag tolls (£3 cash/£1.80 tag)

■An approximate 23% increase on both cash and tag tolls (£3.20 cash/£1.60 tag)