Toll campaigners told to wait for decision

TOLL campaigners have been formally told they cannot meet with Government ministers about the controversial Humber Bridge charges until Secretary of State Geoff Hoon has made a decision about raising them.

Roads minister Paul Clark told North Lincolnshire Council in a letter he could give no indication when the decision would be made.

But Mr Clark did reiterate his willingness to take the meeting.

He said: "I am replying as the minister responsible for local roads and tolls.

"I agreed to meet with interested parties at a convenient time, but this cannot be arranged until after the inspector's report has been received and a decision taken."

A planning inspector is still working on his report after a three-day public inquiry into a bridge board application to raise the tolls was held in March.

A statement on the North Lincolnshire Council website said: "The good news is that when we do take our case to London it will no longer just be a Humber issue.

"This is because key regional organisations have made clear the tolls should be scrapped or significantly reduced.

"They believe the high toll is harming the economy of the wider region and action is long overdue."

The Bridge Board wants to increase tolls from £2.70 to £2.90 each way for cars, and from £18.30 to £19.90 each way for the heaviest lorries.

More than 11,000 people have signed the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Toll Too Far petition. Add your name at www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk.