WITH the Government’s withdrawal of plans to impose tolls on the A14 in Cambridgeshire, the proposed Mersey Crossing will be the only new road project in the UK where tolls are imposed.
It is interesting to note that all previous tolled river crossings have been a new link in that they did not supplement or replace an existing bridge.
The Mersey Crossing has the dubious honour of being the first existing crossing where tolls are imposed. An interesting precedent.
Let me correct myself, the department of transport has confirmed that an existing crossing cannot be tolled so the proposed charges will be called ‘road user charges’ – another interesting precedent.
As I understand it, the A14 decision was based on economic arguments and the damage that would be caused by vehicles, in particular heavy goods vehicles, avoiding the tolled A14.
Aren’t those exactly the same issues that we in Warrington face when the new crossing is tolled, sorry, has road user charges imposed.
Surely what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Given the Government’s change of heart over the A14 toll we need the assurances of our borough council and local MPs that they will challenge the toll on the Mersey Crossing at the highest level.
Chris Lee Great Sankey
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