Travellers encounter new tolls on old bridge
THE introduction of toll charges on the newly reopened Silver Jubilee Bridge has left users reeling.
The bridge reopened on February 26 after three years of refurbishment work took place.
But while some celebrated the reopening of the iconic bridge and landmark, many others voiced their anger at now being asked to pay to use the bridge which was always previously free to users.
The bridge has linked Runcorn and Widnes for 60 years and closed in 2017 for work to take place as the new Mersey Gateway opened.
However, a spokesperson for the campaign group Scrap Mersey Tolls said the imposition of tolls on the bridge – making it the first time a toll has been placed on a previously free crossing in the UK – was ‘a sad day for Merseyside and the wider area’.
John McGoldrick, speaking on behalf of Scrap Mersey Tolls, said: “We already have a toll barrier all the way from Liverpool to the outskirts of Warrington.
“Tolling the Runcorn to Widnes bridge not only reinforces that barrier, it will also be the first time in the UK that a toll has been placed on a previously free crossing.
“The imposition of tolling on this part of the Mersey is bad enough, but because of the absence of toll booths and barriers, they have a ‘penalty’ system.
“Both the toll and the penalties have been a nuisance as well as a cost to users of the bridges.”
Halton Borough Council said they had previously made the case for a free crossing to the Government.
However, the council said the Government would not support a toll-free Silver Jubilee Bridge or a toll free Mersey Gateway bridge.
A spokesperson said: “It is now well over a decade since the case was made to Government, by Halton Borough Council, for toll-free crossings.
“Government were very clear – they made it very clear it was tolled bridges or no new bridge.
“This was debated at the public inquiry and evidence presented for tolled and un-tolled crossings. The independent inspector concluded both crossings must be tolled.
“The reconfigured Silver Jubilee Bridge offers toll-free travel for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and on public transport.
“Both bridges are tolled for all other vehicles.
“With both bridges tolled, it is anticipated that around 80 per cent of traffic will use the Mersey Gateway bridge, and the Silver Jubilee Bridge will revert to being a local bridge.
“We know that users of the Mersey Gateway are already benefiting from faster, more reliable journeys with 4,115,416 hours saved collectively by drivers in the first three years of the bridge being open.”
Labour MP for Halton, Derek Twigg, said he had spoken about the toll charges in Parliament, but the Government would not support the building of the Mersey Gateway without tolls on both bridges.
He said: “I am delighted that the bridge has been reopened, especially as it is more cycling, pedestrian and public transport friendly.
“The people of Halton are pleased to have their bridge back and looking so good, with many already using it.
“Of course, I did not want the bridges tolled at all, and I have spoken about this in Parliament.
“Unfortunately, government was not going to support the building of the Mersey Gateway without tolls on both bridges.
“However, I managed to persuade the then Chancellor, George Osborne, to allow toll-free travel for Halton residents.
“There are a small number of my constituents who do not qualify for toll-free travel and I have pressed government to remedy this but without success to date – I will continue to raise it.
“The vast majority of my constituents are very happy with the new bridge and see both bridges as part of our local identity.
“They were fed up with the long queues and delays in getting over the old bridge before the Mersey Gateway was built, it has completely transformed travel over the river.”
Following the reopening of the bridge, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, Mike Amesbury, also weighed in on the debate.
He called the bridge a ‘magnificent feat of engineering’ but added that he believes national infrastructure should be funded from general taxation.
He said: “Myself and the family marked the reopening of the Silver
Jubilee Bridge with a weekend stroll across the pedestrian walkway.
“The grade II-listed bridge closed for the first major revamp in its 60 year history when the Mersey Gateway opened in 2017.
“It is a magnificent feat of engineering that was designed to allow the passage of shipping along the Manchester Ship Canal.
“Of course, it’s now tolled – just like its modern counterpart – which is something I have always opposed but you can blame the Tories for that. National infrastructure should be funded from general taxation in my book.
“And while Halton residents can travel across the bridge for free (there’s a £10 annual admin fee), nearby residents in places like Frodsham have to pay every time.
“That’s because the Conservatives broke a promise to make an exemption for people in neighbouring Warrington and Cheshire West.”