Sign up to help our Humber Bridge tolls fight

THE Scunthorpe Telegraph is today urging readers to back our fight to scrap Humber Bridge tolls or reduce them to just £1 for cars.

You are being asked to sign our A Toll Too Far petition, calling for the Government to enable this to happen by cancelling the landmark's £330-million debt.

The call follows a report that revealed reducing the toll could benefit North Lincolnshire's economy by a share of a massive £1-billion over the next 25 years.

People can put their name to the petition by filling out a coupon in today's Scunthorpe Telegraph or by completing the form by clicking here.

Scunthorpe MP Elliot Morley gave his support to the campaign.

He said: "I think there is certainly a good argument for the Government to respond to in terms of reducing tolls and all of the local MPs are prepared to make it.

"I think presenting the case to reduce the tolls as an economic argument for the regeneration of the region is a very good approach."

The campaign is being run in conjunction with our sister newspapers the Hull Daily Mail and the Grimsby Telegraph.

And after yesterday’s launch of a study into the economic impact into the Humber Bridge tolls, Cleethorpes MP Shona McIsaac, whose constituency includes Barton-Upon-Humber, also backed the campaign.

She said: “I think a substantial reduction – the report suggests a £1 toll – would certainly put a lot more money into the local economy but still provide sufficient funds to maintain the bridge.”

Also giving his backing to the campaign, Brigg and Goole MP Ian Cawsey said: “This is about the future of the region and, through that, what role the region plays in the national economy.”

Mr Cawsey said chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce Ian Kelly would meet with MPs, council, business and campaigning representatives ‘in the next few weeks’ to discuss the full report.

The Humber Bridge was built with the aid of a £90-million loan, which has escalated to £350-million – more than three times the cost to construct it.

Every year, at least 75 per cent of the £21-million made from 6.6-million journeys goes to service the debt.

The Scunthorpe Telegraph is urging the Government to write off the Humber Bridge debt, which currently stands at £333-million.

In order to meet the annual £3-million running cost of maintaining the bridge, vehicles, which made more than 6.6 million journeys across the bridge last year, need pay no more than £1 each way to help towards the upkeep of the landmark.

Currently, a proposed 20p rise would result in the return cost of crossing the bridge increasing to £5.80 for car drivers.

Lorry drivers face a rise of up to £1.60, meaning a return crossing would cost £39.80 should the new charges go ahead.

For a comprehensive five-page report on the tolls issue, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.

It includes more reaction from politicians, including Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, local businesses, the Humber Bridge Board, Department of Transport and residents.

There's also the coupon you can sign to back our campaign.

Alternatively, you can back it online by clicking here. 

View our video from Westminster by clicking here.