Mersey Tunnel toll rise to pay for new Merseytravel office

Feb 2 2008

WIRRAL’S MPs last night came out strongly against the 10p tunnel toll increase.

Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford said: "Unfortunately these rises are not a shock because this is what was predicted when the hated Mersey Tunnels Bill, which I strongly opposed, was fought in Parliament.

"These rises are unacceptable and will do nothing for the hard working people and businesses of Wirral."

Wirral West MP Ben Chapman said: "It is no secret that I fought long and hard to block the original Mersey Tunnels Bill as I firmly believe the tolls to be unfair and bad for Merseyside as a whole.

"By proposing to increase further the toll on what is one of the main arteries of the local economy Merseytravel will be adding to an already substantial overhead which handicaps local businesses relative to those in other areas. My constituents and other Wirral residents will be rightly angry at this proposed 7.7% increase."

Wallasey MP Angela Eagle added: "I’m not happy about this because of the impact it will have on motorists locally. Merseytravel need to demonstrate why they believe this is necessary."

Wirral Labour representative on Merseytravel, Cllr Denis Knowles, said he thought it was likely all the borough’s councillors on the Merseytravel board would vote against the increased charges.

He said: "Even though I understand the commercial reasons for it. But when you look at the figures of people’s movements the vast majority are from Wirral, as well as Ellesmere Port and Chester, travelling to Liverpool."

Cllr Chris Blakeley, Wirral’s Conservative represent- ative on Merseytravel, said: "At a time of rising household bills and Council Tax, regular tunnel users will have to fork out around £50 more every year for the privilege of subsidising public transport elsewhere in Merseyside."

"The Mersey Tunnels Bill, which was pushed through by Labour MPs, is now coming back to haunt us."