Tunnel pay tolls are set to be hiked

TOLL charges are set to be hiked in the Tyne Tunnel.

Plans have emerged to increase charges by 10p for cars and light goods vehicles from the Spring, taking the fee up to £1.80.

The charge for heavy goods vehicles is expected to go up by 20p, from £3.40 to £3.60.

Transport bosses said the increases are in line with inflation and will avert a potential budget deficit of £1.5 million.

The inaugural meeting of the new North East Joint Transport Committee heard o a final decision on proposals to increase the tolls will be made in January, and will be subject to the approval of the government.

A report stated: “The increase in toll income in 2019/20 as a result of the increase in tolls is estimated to be £1.56m. Without an increase in tolls the Tyne Tunnels account would operate at a deficit of £1.54m next year which would be unsustainable over the life of the concession.

“In terms of the formal process for the increase in tolls, a decision to increase tolls will be taken by the Tyne and Wear Sub Committee in January.”

It added a decision on the specific date for implementation of the higher tolls will be taken in conjunction with tunnel operator TT2, “taking into account operational considerations”.

Although toll income from the tunnel for the current financial year is forecast to be higher than expected, an estimated £26.7 million, the tunnels are still reporting a deficit of £62,000 due to increased contract payments to TT2 and lower traffic levels caused by roadworks. The number of vehicles using the Tyne Tunnel is expected to increase once the Silverlink works are complete, though bosses say they expect an impact from similar roadworks planned at the Testos roundabout on the other side of the Tyne. TT2 confirmed earlier this month that it expects barriers to be removed from the toll booths on the northern side of the tunnel soon, as new Automatic Numberplate Recognition technology is brought in to improve traffic flow.

The new JTC met for the first time on Tuesday, having been set up to manage transport issues across the region following the breakup of the old North East Combined Authority - with Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Northumberland councils striking their own £600 million devolution deal.

The transport budget for the region is set to decrease by £872,000 next year £700,000 of which will be cut from Tyne and Wear specifically - but bosses say savings can be made “without service reductions being needed in the next two years, through use of efficiency savings and Nexus reserves”.

In terms of the formal process for the increase in tolls, a decision to increase tolls will be taken in January