VOTE: Humber Bridge Board consider hiking tolls by 11 per cent

THE Humber Bridge Board is to consider a plan to hike tolls by 11 per cent.

The board is to hold a special meeting on Monday and sources claim the price for a single car crossing could increase from £2.70 to £3.

The meeting may also see members moot plans to replace the existing toll system with a more up-to-date payment method, including pre-paid cards.

A source, who did not want to be named, said if the board did decide to try and put through an increase, it would almost certainly be met with strong opposition and possibly a public inquiry.

That view was shared by Councillor Mark Kirk, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, who said: "If the board decides to go for a toll increase application, North Lincolnshire Council will oppose it – no question about it.

"Our position remains absolutely clear, a toll increase cannot be justified.

"Last time around a thousand people wrote to the board to oppose an increase. I see the same thing happening again.

"The tolls are holding back the economies of both banks of the Humber and it is simply not on. It puts us at a massive disadvantage and it has to be addressed."

Tolls have not increased since 2006, but in March next year, the current debt agreement between the board and the Government ends and will need to be renegotiated – an increase in the current 4.25 per cent interest rate would likely impact on tolls.

Mr Kirk said: "The Scunthorpe Telegraph's Toll Too Far campaign did a fantastic job last time and I hope we see a repeat of this. It was real community leadership.

"Because of the fantastic campaign last time, the previous Government said 'no' to a toll increase.

"We have to work towards that objective again."

Gaining approval for putting up tolls would take between nine and 12 months, but would be longer if a request did result in a public inquiry.

Councillor Keith Vickers, board member, said he did not want to see tolls go up.

He said: "Ideally, I'd like to see the tolls down to £1, but unless the Government writes the debt off, I don't think that will happen.

"The meeting was arranged to discuss replacing the toll systems. If it goes ahead, it will not affect a rise in tolls as the money would come from a separate budget."