Tamar crossing charges ‘critical’ for commuters

MPs are calling for a rethink to a proposed 150% increase in the monthly fee for the discounted toll and ferry scheme over the Tamar.

The proposal would see the Tamar Tag admin cost rise from 80 pence to £2 a month for the service which costs between £15m and 18m a year to run.

South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd said the increase proposed by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee would affect “predominantly local people” and wanted to see them pay cheaper tolls.

Speaking ahead of a debate about the proposal at Plymouth City Council on Monday 12 January she said a solution needed to consider “critical growth” in Devon and Cornwall.

Gelderd is one of three Labour MPs calling for a rethink and said constituents told her “this is critical” for them.

The proposal came seven months after toll fees went up to plug a hole in finances.

The committee said it proposed the changes as it needed to maintain a “prudent reserve” of £3m.

Campaigners said the crossing was crucial for people who cross the river for work, education and appointments at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

The committee told the MPs it rejected other options including reducing the TSG discount, increasing the toll or reducing the number of ferries or toll booths.

Co-chair Andrew Long said the Tamar Crossings Company had to cover the bridge and ferry costs as they do not get funded by either Plymouth City Council or Cornwall Council and the Department of Transport does not contribute to the bridge’s maintenance.

He called on the councils and central government to “step up” and support the service.

“We’ve got to get the income from somewhere,” he said.

“At the moment the only way of getting through doing that is charging tolls.”

He added the public will be able to submit questions about the proposals at this month’s meeting when councillors would be “looking at all the costs, all the income”.