Warrington Conservatives opposed to Warburton Toll Bridge hike

Warrington Borough Council Conservative Opposition Group has spoken out against a proposed raising of the fee for Warburton Toll Bridge, which crosses the Manchester Ship Canal at Rixton.

Peel Group, which controls and operates the bridge, wants to raise the current 12p charge, which was set in 1863, to a ‘whopping’ £1 per crossing – representing a hike of nearly 733 per cent.

The firm claims that the toll increase is needed to cover a ‘necessary’ £6million maintenance and repair project, which would upgrade approach roads, footpaths and the tolling system.

Outlining the Conservative Group’s opposition to the hike, Cllr Joshua Dixon, one of the party’s representatives for Rixton and Woolston, said: “The toll was originally granted and justified to cover maintenance costs.

“However, Peel Group has certainly had a large amount of income over the years and should use this to cover the costs of all the overdue maintenance and repairs, not pass them on to hardworking people.”

A toll of £1 per crossing, the Conservatives argue, will be prohibitive for those making several journeys per day, such as those making the school run or commuting to work.

Additionally, they say that if reduced toll zones are declared for residents who live nearby on both sides of the crossing, then the areas should include Glazebrook and Lymm as well as the suggested postcode areas of WA3 6 and WA13 9.

Warburton Toll Bridge

Conservative Cllr Phil Eastty, also representing Rixton and Woolston, commented: “Peel has typically ignored those who live within a stone’s throw of the crossing, using an arbitrary postcode system to determine the reduced crossing charges.

“It seems they are more focussed on making profits than serving the interests of the community.”

At the council’s extraordinary meeting scheduled for this evening, Monday, the Conservative Group will be objecting to the proposals and voting in favour of submitting a ‘clear and uncompromising response’ to Peel’s ‘prioritising of profits over the interests of the good of the community’.

Additionally, in the outcome that the toll increase cannot be prevented, the Conservatives are calling for any potential fines for missed payments be set aside solely for maintenance and repairs.

Cllr Dixon added: “To profit from fines on top of an already outrageously high and unjustified crossing fare would only add insult to injury.

“Peel should do the decent thing and guarantee that any monies raised will be ringfenced for the proper maintenance, operating costs and quality road surfacing of Warburton Toll Bridge.”

Before the pandemic, the bridge carried an average of 9,500 vehicles each weekday and 6,500 each day on the weekend.

Councillors and residents held peaceful protests on the bridge in opposition to the toll hike, with signs bearing slogans such as ‘scrap the tolls’ and ‘Peel putting profit and pollution first’.