Bridge breakdowns cost drivers £4,100
●
MOTORISTS have been charged £4,100 in total for 20 vehicle breakdown removals on the Mersey Gateway bridge.
Jim Yates, assistant to the chief executive at Halton Borough Council, revealed the figure as a follow-up to data previously released under the same Freedom Of Information request.
Figures published in December revealed that 20 vehicles had been towed off the Mersey Gateway bridge since it opened with charges for recovery ranging from £150 for a small or standard sized car up to £6,000 for laden lorries weighing more than 18 tonnes and in some loss of control scenarios.
The range starts at £150 for undamaged, upright and on-road motorbikes and vehicles weighing under 3.5 tonnes, rising to £350 for undamaged, upright and on-road laden wagons weighing more than 18 tonnes.
For heavy goods vehicles, prices climb according to the difficulty of recovery scenarios such as vehicles having left the road, overturned or being substantially damaged.
There is no such charge for cars, motorbikes and vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.
Additional charges include storage from £10 to £35, disposal between £50 and £150, and a flat recovery impact protection £75 hourly rate.
A spokesman for chief executive David Parr’s office said the firm contracted to carry out the removals is Widnes-based Hough Green Garage.
Merseylink’s removals policy and costs document said the scheme reflects the goals of the Mersey Gateway project – to reduce journey times, the costs of accidents and lower congestion with resulting lower carbon emissions.
The scheme has faced criticism from motorists who have argued the costs should be covered by tolls.