Humber Toll Action

News

29 November 2011

In the first substantial gesture from the government in nearly five years of campaigning by bridge users, the Chancellor, George Osborne announces in his autumn statement, that the bridge debt willl be reduced by £150m, meaning the toll for a single car crossing can fall to £1.50 in 2012. It marks the first official recognition of the damage the tolls do to the local economy, and their impact on local people. The onerous burden of the debt still remains however and the tolls, however small, will still be a barrier as long as they exist. So we hope that more concessions will be forthcoming and that all concerned will carry on the fight...

7 October 2010

The Treasury announces a review of the economic impact of the tolls. It is reported that Chancellor George Osborne has personally commissioned the review. It is expected to take six to 12 months and will consider the economic benefits to the region of scrapping or reducing the tolls. The announcement of the review followed a meeting between the Chancelllor and south bank Conservative MPs Andrew Percy and Martin Vickers.

30 September 2010

The government announces a public inquiry into the Humber Bridge Board's application for an increase in tolls. In an unusual move, the Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker MP did not wait for public objections to be received before announcing the inquiry, saying: "We know that there is a great deal of interest in the tolls on the Humber Bridge, and that a variety of individuals, businesses and local groups are likely to have views on the Bridge Board’s proposals.

"It is only right that any parties with an interest are able to put forward their objections at a public inquiry.

"That is why we have decided to proceed directly to the public inquiry stage where the case for and against any increase can be heard in full".

3 August 2010

The Humber Bridge Board decides that it is to apply to the Department for Transport for permission to reclassify vehicles. This will include removing the toll for motorcycles. But less encouragingly, the board will meet shortly to confirm its intention to apply for a rise in other tolls, which will increase the charge for a car to a reported £3 per crossing.

31 July 2009

In an unprecedented move, the government rejects the recommendation of the public inquiry inspector and refuses the Humber Bridge Board's application for a toll increase. In the announcement, Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said: "I do not believe it is right for the Humber Bridge tolls to be raised in the current economic climate". This marks a significant shift in the traditional government stance on the tolls and gives the first grounds for optimism that further concessions may be forthcoming.

24 February 2009

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart leads a 30-minute adjournment debate in the House of Commons on Humber Bridge tolls. He appealed to Transport Minister Paul Clark to reject current toll increase proposals. He also outlined the many arguments against tolls on the bridge, particularly in the current economic climate. Full account of the debate here.

23 January 2009

After nearly 1,000 people write letters of objection to the Department for Transport, the Humber Bridge Board confirms that the public inquiry into the proposed toll rise will begin on Tuesday, March 3, at 10am. The inquiry, chaired by an independent planning inspector, will decide whether to approve the proposed toll increase, which would mean a single car journey across the bridge would rise from £2.70 to £2.90.

9 January 2009

Consultants publish a further report on the economic effects of toll reduction or removal. The new research demonstrates that the government would not be massively out of pocket if deprived of toll revenue. In fact, due to the extra economic activity that toll removal would encourage, they would gain £120m in taxes over the lifespan of the loan, once bridge maintenance costs are taken into account. Local business leaders, MPs and councils now hope to put this to Treasury ministers.

7 October 2008

Announcement of independent research findings into the impact of Humber Bridge tolls. They show that, over the remaining lifespan of the debt, toll abolition would benefit the local economy to the tune of £1.1bn. Download full report here.

15 September 2008

The leaders of all four Humber region councils write jointly to the Secretary of State for Transport to protest at the proposed increase in bridge tolls. See story here.

12 June 2008

The research into the effects of the tolls, sponsored by the four Humber councils, gets under way. See story here.

14 February 2008

Displaying either spectacular indifference to public opinion, breathtaking arrogance, or both, the Humber Bridge Board announces its intention to raise tolls (by 20p for a single car crossing). To compound the insult, it comes immediately in the wake of the removal of tolls on all bridges in Scotland.

22 January 2008

In response to numerous protests about the inadequacy of its initial response, the government revises its response to our petition - citing an 'administrative error'. This at least acknowledges concerns about the debt, although it is still entirely negative, and seeks to blame the current local authorities for the decisions of the long-abolished councils originally charged with footing the bill for the grossly inflated interest rates. The response still ignores concerns about the effect of tolls on the regional economy, confirming suspicions about the government's lack of interest in this.

14 January 2008

The government publishes its response to our petition. To say it is a disappointment would be an understatement. It completely ignores the main demand of the petition - that the Humber Bridge debt be written off. It merely describes the current toll concession schemes. It's no wonder that people in this country are disillusioned with politics and can't be bothered to vote, if governments refuse even to acknowledge their concerns, let alone take them seriously.

2 January 2008

Our petition closes with 8,333 signatures. The official government response is now awaited.

21 March 2007

North Lincolnshire Council proposes new research into the damaging effects of Humber Bridge tolls on the local economy.

12 March 2007

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, speaks in Parliament against the damaging effects of Humber Bridge Tolls. See transcript of his speech here.

4 March 2007

The BBC's Politics Show covers Humber Bridge tolls as a result of the higher profile that e-petitions have given the issue.

1 March 2007

The BBC website reports the 2,000th signature on the petition. See story here.

19 February 2007

The leaders of councils on both sides of the Humber have written jointly to the Transport Minister, asking for a meeting to discuss the harmful effects of Humber Bridge tolls on the local economy. See the letter and related news release here.

11 February 2007

Several parish councils on the north bank have included a link to the petition on their websites: North Ferriby, Welton and Swanland so far. Thanks to them for their support.

8 February 2007

The thousandth person signs the petition. This honour goes to one Stephen Purdie. Thanks to everyone who has signed it so far.

31 January 2007

Our petition gains the support of local MEP Diana Wallis. In a letter published in the Hull Daily Mail, she points out the unfairness of expecting sacked workers from the Young's Hull factory to travel to Grimsby for work, especially with the tolls in place. She also urges people to sign the petition if they agree.

2 January 2007

Our petition is launched on the 10 Downing Street website. It gains over 500 signatures in its first three weeks.