A modest proposal
We are not asking for anything out of the
ordinary, unprecedented or unreasonable. We want the government to
write off the outstanding debt owed by the Humber Bridge Board.
As a result of this, ideally we would like to see tolls abolished. This would provide the greatest benefit to the local economy and, indirectly, to the national exchequer - through increased taxes. If, for some reason, abolition is not possible, we would expect the Humber Bridge Board to reduce tolls.
The exact level of the tolls would depend on the
operating costs prevalent at the time of the change. But at
today’s prices, we think it would be reasonable to set the tolls
at no more than:
60p for a single
car crossing;
£2 for
HGVs;
Free for public
transport and motorcycles.
Hospital patients and their family members would
be provided with concessionary bridge vouchers allowing them to cross
the bridge free to attend outpatient treatments, admissions and visits.
There would be further concessions for frequent
users of the bridge, with discounts of around 16 per cent on the
standard tolls.
The powers to do this are already in place. Section 1(1) of the Humber Bridge (Debts) Act 1996 (c. 1) gives government the power "to provide that certain amounts otherwise payable to the Secretary of State by the Humber Bridge Board shall not be so payable".
