Legality of turning existing roads/bridges into toll roads/bridges

Sandycheeks

Sandycheeks

Sandycheeks

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My commute involves me crossing Runcorn (Silver Jubilee) bridge at least twice per day.
Another bridge has just been constructed but now both bridges are to have a toll.

Apparently during planning the chancellor stated that without a toll, the building of the new bridge would not have gone ahead.

Having used the same bridge for the last 14 years I cannot understand how it is legal to now introduce a toll for a bridge that IS part of our existing road network.

inb4
There is an alternative route but it would add at least an hour each way onto my 30/40 min commute.
 
Perfectly legal. The local councils were all up in arms about it when the second bridge was announced due to the impact on local businesses and residents. Had there been a legal route to prevent it, they'd have gone for it.

I bet it will end up like the Mersey tunnels: never paid off because the cost to collect never pays down the loan.
 
I expect there to be many more toll roads come 2040. Once the duty on fuel revenues dry up, due to everything being electric.
 
Seems pretty harsh if the initial bridge has always been free, but no idea on legality of now making it a toll to cover the second bridge's cost.

Could be a good time to consider either an e-bike or normal cycle, in my limited experience eg. Eling tide mill bridge, these are normally toll free.
 
Usually for tolls like that there is a seasonal tag or similar for regular users that brings the cost way down, still sucks but still.
 
It's a pain for me too. I drive over to north Wales most weekends and now I don't have a way to get over which doesn't cost me extra cash. It would be a real kicker if I had to do it every day though! I thought they were originally going to keep the old bridge toll free for locals?
 
If the new bridge was a toll but the old bridge wasn't, then I reckon a lot of people would put up with a queue to save the money if they are regular users. Which then defeats the new bridge to add capacity and reduce all the jams.

Look at the M6 Toll - usually empty whilst the M6 is very busy (at best).

Halton residents can pay £10/year for admin and use them free : https://www.merseyflow.co.uk/halton-resident
 
My girlfriend is in the same position. She drives over Runcorn bridge twice a day.

Even though she is annoyed about it she is hoping that the traffic in that area will improve due to the toll, new bridge and new surrounding roads. It'll save a lot of time on her commute.
 
I guess I'll have to try to pass the cost on to my employer.
The cheapest option is to register and pre-pay which saves 10% - woo hoo, I'll only be paying £900 pa instead of £1000 pa....seems like a bargain.
I know a £100 is worth saving but I can't see it as anything other than daylight robbery, I'm not saving £100, just that I'm being robbed slightly less.
The above figures are based on 2 crossings per day for 5 days per week. Some days I will cross more than twice therefore price will increase.


Who can I send a bill to for the extra hours I've spent commuting due to the building of the new bridge?
 
Not entirely sure you can simply palm the costs off to your employer. Hardly their fault. Then again it's certainly something I'd try to blag :)
 
BenhB said:
I expect there to be many more toll roads come 2040. Once the duty on fuel revenues dry up, due to everything being electric.
Click to expand...
Everyone'll be forced to have a tracker that's linked to HMG, pay per mile, I bet.
 
Utterly dumb, surely the benefit of the bridge has paid itself in local taxes and hopefully increased business, they'll reduce both with this.
 
Jono said:
Everyone'll be forced to have a tracker that's linked to HMG, pay per mile, I bet.
Click to expand...
should have binned vehicle excise duty years ago and simply slapped a premium on fuel. The more you use/travel; the more you pay. Seems fair to me!
 
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