LEADER HAD ‘ROBUST’ TALKS OVER KEY STAFF TOLLS
THE leader of Halton Borough Council reportedly had a ‘robust conversation’ with a transport minister as he pressed a request for Mersey Gateway bridge tolls to be waived for key workers during the virus crisis.
A statement from the local authority said Cllr Rob Polhill spoke with Baroness Vere over the matter, as he called for NHS staff, coronavirus volunteers and critical supply chain employees to be spared the controversial road charge.
A Halton Council spokeswoman said the minister had described the chat as a ‘robust conversation’, but insisted the Government was ‘not minded’ to remove tolls from the bridge ‘immediately’ but would ‘keep it under review’ and make ‘the right decision at the right time’.
The spokeswoman said this means Halton Council cannot remove the tolls to support NHS staff, key workers, carers, volunteers and the critical supply chain dealing with Covid-19 in Halton, Cheshire and the Liverpool City Region.
Initially on March 18, the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, which was set up by the council to oversee the bridge project and whose members include Cllr Polhill and Cllr Mike Warton, insisted it would be ‘business as usual’ on the bridge.
That position has shifted as lockdown measures have deepened.
Debt recovery firm Marston has suspended its work during the outbreak and the council has previously asked the Government to intervene and suspend tolls on the Mersey Gateway bridge for key workers and the NHS.
The council, which sets the tolling regime on the bridge, has not specified in what form it wants the Government to intervene.
It is now placing responsibility for the impasse on Whitehall.
Cllr Polhill said: “However, you dress this up Government has decided, not to remove tolls.”
“We need the permission of Government to do this, so the consequence of the Government’s position is that the council cannot remove the tolls.”
“Those who will be most disappointed will be the NHS workers, key workers, volunteers, carers and critical supply network in Halton, Cheshire and the Liverpool City Region who continue to go ‘above and beyond’ to keep us safe from Covid19 but who, as a result of the Government’s current position, will still be distracted from their primary roles and financially disadvantaged by paying tolls.”
“These are the very people we are relying on most in these difficult times.”
“We urge Government to reconsider their position without delay and will continue to press Government to allow the council to remove the tolls.”