CONTROVERSIAL plans to increase Warburton Toll Bridge’s price from 12p to £1 will go to a public inquiry.

The proposed new toll price is part of an ambitious £6.5m plan to upgrade approach roads, footpaths and tolling system by The Manchester Ship Canal Company, which owns and operates the bridge.

After dismay from residents and objections from Warrington MP’s Charlotte Nichols and Andy Carter over the past year, an inquiry has now been scheduled for November.

It follows on from a month-long voluntary consultation with the community on the plans until August of last year.

The current toll of 12p was set in 1863, which if it had kept pace with inflation, would now be around £15.

The proposed new toll will be up to £1 including VAT, with discounts for local residents and frequent users - a hike of nearly 733 per cent.