MP welcomes move to extend discount scheme
HALTON MP Derek Twigg has welcomed moves to extend the residents’ bridge tolls discount scheme to give more drivers free crossings.
Mr Twigg, Labour, said he had made ‘many representations’ to Halton Council calling for the pool of eligible motorists to be expanded to include those in full-time education or apprenticeships and living in council tax bands G and H.
The MP added that he and others had contacted the local authority over extensions to the free crossings scheme for drivers such as blood, organ and plasma delivery vehicles and more residents whose disability stops them from driving but do not have a blue badge.
His comments came after Halton Council published a pre-meeting agenda containing details of proposals for an updated road user charging scheme.
Councillors were due to decide whether to back the amendments last night.
He said: “I welcome that following my many representations to the Council that they are going to consider extending the Halton residents’ scheme to include those who are apprentices or undertaking full-time education and live in Halton council tax bands G and H.
“I continue to lobby Government and Halton Council to allow all residents in bands G and H toll free travel across the bridges.
“I am pleased that the council has also listened to my representations and those of the GMB about exempting vehicles used for the transport of blood, plasma and human organs and will now exempt these vehicles.
“I have repeatedly raised the issue of Halton residents with small camper vans, the council have announced today that they will also consider classifying those vehicles as the same as private cars, enabling my constituents with those vehicles to become eligible for the local discount scheme.
“I am delighted to see that they will also consider removing the anomaly that exists that affects a small number of my constituents who have a disability but do not have a blue badge and their disability prevents them from driving.” ●