NEWS UPDATE: Humber tolls study presented
A LONG-awaited report has today detailed the impact of the Humber Bridge tolls on North Lincolnshire and other areas in the Humber sub-region.
The official launch of the study, presented by Brigg and Goole MP Ian Cawsey, was hailed a great success by the politicians, business leaders and campaigners present.
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The £60,000 report, commissioned by the four Humber Councils, will now be studied ahead of renewed lobbying of the government.
The report comes as The Humber Bridge Board plans to increase tolls on a crossing which is already the most expensive in Britain.
The decision to allow the rise lies with the new Secretary State of Transport Geoff Hoon.
A Department of Transport statement is expected later today.
After the launch Mr Ian Cawsey said: "I was really pleased with it, both the launch and the content of the reports.
"I really think that for the first time we have started to get facts around the point we have been making for a number of years."
For further updates see www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk and for the full story buy tomorrow's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
14 Comments
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by Jessica, Brumby
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 9:58AM
“Oh, how terrible - a councillor has defended himself against unfair accusations of junketing. Shame on everybody!”
by Tracey, Brigg & Wolds
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 7:18AM
“Well said by the last blogger, Your brilliant and apt blog handle should be the ST¿s next campaign?
This campaign can ultimately succeed, if we exercise far more courtesy, encouragement and recognise and support the commendable intiatives and leadership from many agencies and individuals, including Councillor Neil Poole.
According to the National Alliance Against Tolls spokesman on Look North last night; the Scottish Tolls were only abolished following a 10 year PPP campaign involving the commitment from PEOPLE, PRESS & POLITICIANS.”
by In favour of testing IQ prior to votes., Scunthorpe
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 10:11PM
“Shame on the comments on here, so you would prefer not to attempt to remove tolls, you would prefer that the local council continues to live with Tolls that are the highest in britain, you would prefer to pay them and subsidise the sale of the tickets via your council tax???????????”
by jack, scunthorpe
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 9:39PM
“"and I only claim minimum travel costs when necessary".......You didnt travel first class then?
We have MP's leaving comments now, this is brill, makes a change from the usual I guess. Roll on tomorrow's headline”
by Cllr Neil Poole, Messingham
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 8:04PM
“For readers information.
The document was not leaked to me, so I received my copy at 10.45 am this morning. This gave very little time to read what is a fairly heavy document, fully. So I decided to briefly read the report, and then read the summary several times before the launch time of 2.00 p.m.
I also arranged a meeting at 12.45 p.m. with Norman Baker MP Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport and Environment Spokesperson. We discussed the economic and social impact of the bridge tolls and he was given a copy of the report. Norman agreed to challenge the Treasury on the issues raised in the report.
My journey started this morning at 7.30 am and I returned home at 7.15 p.m. My record on claiming is a matter of public record, I do not claim any subsistence allowances and I only claim minimum travel costs when necessary.
It's now eight thirty and I'm reading the whole report for the second time making the appropriate notes for future reference.
Personally I believe the Bridge Tolls are a barrier to growth and a tax on our local area. This report and the cross party support it is getting, is the best chance and possibly the last chance to significantly reduce or remove the tolls once and for all.
Kind Regards
Cllr Neil Poole”