Toll freeze could force cut in ferry service, warns MP

UNFUNDED freezes to tolls for the Tamar crossings would force operators into cutting one of the three Torpoint ferries from service, Plymouth’s Labour Party has claimed.

Conservative MPs Johnny Mercer (Plymouth Moor View) and Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) have formed a campaign which aims to freeze the tolls, which are this year rising to £3 for cars, or £1.50 with a pre-paid Tamar Tag. They blame mismanagement of the crossings for the need to raise the tolls.

Ms Murray presented a petition, which she said had been signed by 6,300 people, to the House of Commons on Tuesday. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has not committed to funding from central Government, which would enable the freeze, despite being challenged on the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions last month.

Plymouth Labour say, without funding, the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee, the crossings’ governing body, would be forced into cutting one of the three Torpoint ferries from service to save money. The Tories say the joint committee has wasted money on projects, including new offices.

Labour claim an analysis of the committee’s business plan shows a £1.19 million deficit in the budget for the Tamar crossings by the end of 2025/26, if the tolls do not increase in November this year.

Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council are liable to pay any budget deficit for the Tamar crossings, but both local authorities have previously said they cannot afford to cut local budgets any further to pay for the deficit. Instead, Labour say limiting rises in Tamar Tag fees would alleviate the burden on local residents.

Luke Pollard, Labour MP for Sutton and Devonport, said: “No one wants to pay tolls, but we all understand this pays for a safe, efficient ferry and bridge. A toll freeze without Government money to pay for it would mean a £1 million cut to the budget of the bridge and ferry.

“I worry that to balance the books there would be no other choice than to remove one of the three Torpoint ferries. These are the devastating consequences of this unfunded Conservative campaign. That’s why I’m campaigning for cheaper tolls for local people that would help families in the cost of living crisis and keep the bridge and ferry operating normally.”

Under current plans, the toll increase for the Tamar crossings is due to rise annually from £16.32 million to £18.76 million – an increase of £2.44 million. The rises are designed to allow three ferries and the bridge to continue operating at a time when costs have increased due to inflation and the cost of fuel and materials has also seen a sharp rise.

In a joint statement, Mr Mercer and Ms Murray said: “We are campaigning to stop the toll hike for the simple reason that we do not believe the cost for the bridge’s mismanagement should be passed on to consumers. There have been a number of questionable capital projects undertaken by the joint committee, most notably the construction of clearly unaffordable new offices.

“This is a position which more than 6,300 local residents have put their name to by signing our petition. We had hoped that this strength of opinion would lead to a local cross-party effort to freeze the tolls in 2024. Labour have instead chosen to side with the joint committee over commuters, with their knee-jerk reaction.

“Their endorsement of hiking tolls £2.60 to £3.00 will hit commuters in the pocket and absolve the joint committee of any responsibility. As we have warned in [WMN sister newspaper] The Herald, this will represent a 100% rise in four years. We will continue to argue forcefully in Parliament for a toll freeze.”

Cllr Tudor Evans, leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Both councils had approved the toll rise because it was essential to keep three ferries and the bridge operational.”

No one wants to pay tolls, but this pays for a safe, efficient ferry and bridge LUKE POLLARD MP