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Tunnel toll review group recommendations to
help local users save
MERSEY
Tunnels users could save £5 a week under new
proposals that are set to benefit people living and working locally.
A task group set up in February 2015 at the request of the Combined Authority to
review the toll setting process and its impact on infrastructure and
transportation has put forward recommendations that have informed the toll
charging proposals for 2016/17.
The proposals, outlined in a report published on Wednesday, 27 January 2016,
will be considered by the Merseytravel Committee on 4 February 2016 followed by
the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on 5 February 2016. They include:-
► A freeze on cash tolls; keeping it £1.70 for car
users for the third consecutive year, with freezes for other classes of vehicles
too.
► An Increase in Fast Tag discount of 20p for car users, with proportionate
discounts for other types of vehicles. This reduces the Fast Tag toll for car
users to £1.20 to 50p cheaper than paying the cash toll. This means that a
commuter switching to Fast Tag from cash toll could save £5 a week.
► All emergency services liveried vehicles to be allowed free travel through the
Mersey Tunnels.
► Free travel through the Mersey Tunnels between 10pm on 24 December 2016 and
6am on 26 December 2016, recognising that alternative public transport options
aren't available during these times.
This proposal is the 1st part of the review process for the Mersey Tunnels toll
and discussions will continue through the task group to consider options over
the longer term.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:- "These proposals reflect our
commitment to offering tunnel users the best deal we can; now and into the
future. I am hoping our future discussions on tolling can come up with even
better value for users."
Councillor Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council, said:- "While we would
still like to overturn the Mersey Tunnels Act to give local residents full
control over the setting of tolls, in the meantime, we are reducing the weekly
cost of a Fast Tag by £2 a week for commuters, and freezing the cash tolls for
visitors and occasional users."
Councillor Liam Robinson, Chair of the Merseytravel Committee, said:-
"Fast Tags are available to everyone, but we know they are especially valued by
local residents and local businesses who we know use the tunnels most
frequently. Targeting discounts through the Fast Tag scheme is the best way to
help regular and local users. The savings for even infrequent users are still
significant at the rates of discount we hope to be able to offer next year. I
would urge all tunnel users to consider Fast Tag even if they are not using the
tunnels every day."
The full report to the Merseytravel Committee, to be considered on 4 February
2016, can be read
online.
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