TRAFFIC in the Mersey tunnels would increase by 40% and cause 20-minute queues in rush hour if the tolls were removed, new research has found.

The research also concludes that, if tolls were lifted, it would lead to a drop in those shopping in Wirral, resulting in a loss of £80m to the local economy and the loss of 600 jobs.

A survey of 300 Merseyside companies found that fewer than 20% see the costs of the tunnels as a barrier to doing business across the river. While 60% of Wirral businesses questioned indicated there were no barriers to doing business across the river.

On Thursday, councillors on transport authority Merseytravel are set to vote to freeze tolls at their current level of £1.40 for cars.

Wirral Council leader Steve Foulkes said he hoped the report by transport expert Colin Buchanan would shed more light on the debate into the complex issue of the unpopular tunnel tolls.

The firm concluded that only a small fraction of tunnel users live outside the Liverpool city region, and as a result, if a local discount were introduced, it would apply to most users.

The extra congestion that a 40% increase in tunnel users would lead to would cost the region’s economy £12m, the report states.

“The business survey suggests that Wirral businesses do not perceive any weaknesses of their location, which are divergent from businesses in the rest of Merseyside or can be directly or indirectly attributable to the tunnels tolls,” it adds.

“While a majority of Wirral businesses cite the tunnels tolls as having an important impact on overall transport costs, this is rated no more highly than congestion and is viewed as less significant than fuel costs.”

Merseytravel, which commissioned the research, said it could not comment on the report ahead of it being heard by councillors on Thursday.

Last night, Cllr Foulkes said: “This report will hopefully shed more light on the debate on the tolls which is a complex issue.

“Our policy is quite clear: we think tunnel tolls should be lifted if the Government is going to finance it.

“Every government of every complexion has said they will not absorb the cost of the tolls, and it would add 8.5% on to council tax in Wirral.