TOWN Hall chiefs are to try and negotiate a reduced toll for Warrington residents who use the new Mersey Gateway bridge when it is built.
Residents of neighbouring Halton have been told they will pay a reduced toll on the bridge which is to be built alongside the existing Runcorn-Widnes bridge – but no similar offer has been made for Warrington motorists..
Halton Council has agreed to consult with Warrington when more details of toll charges and discounts are known.
Leader of Warrington Council Ian Marks has pledged to write to Halton asking them to reaffirm this.
His pledge came in response to a question from Whittle Hall councillor Kevin Reynolds (right)
He noted that Halton residents had been promised a reduced toll on the new bridge but no such promise had been to Warrington residents – despite Warrington supporting Halton’s bid for the bridge.
Coun Reynolds said: “A reduction would be a gesture of compensation for the increase in congestion our town and residents will experience daily.”
Coun Marks said it was excellent news that the Government had given the go-ahead for the Mersey Gateway. He believed it would benefit the local economy and infrastructure.
He said: “In an ideal world it would be much better if there were no tolls to distort traffic movements.
“I am well aware this was a hotly debated topic during the General Election campaign
“I don’t what to re-open this debate now but I would like to remind members that we did sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Halton Council to look at various mitigation actions should traffic diversion prove to be a problem.
“With regard to the discount scheme for tolls across the existing and new bridge, the funding package put to the Government does provide for toll discounts and for investment in alternative transport such as better bus services
“During the study work, Halton has looked at options to provide discounts for local and regular users. However the details of any discount scheme have not been confirmed but will be addressed during the procurement phase as proposals are refined in negotiation with companies bidding for the Mersey Gateway contract.
“I can confirm that Halton Council will consult with us as the more detailed proposals on tolling charges and discounts emerge.
“However we will write to Halton to reaffirm this.”
Council to bid for reduced bridge tolls
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
5 Comments
So these bloody idiot Lib-Dumb councillors; who agreed with the tolls on the bridge; think that knocking 10p off a crossing will make up for the GUARANTEED congestion this bridge will cause????….. and then have the audacity to class it as a “gesture of Compensation”? My God I do despair…… remember chaps that these are the same Lib Dumbs that brought you the improved Westbrook traffic lights so they have a track record of producing congestion!
I completely agree Baz. Why on earth have WBC supported a toll bridge when they themselves KNOW and ACKNOWLEDGE that it will definately increase daily congestion on Warrington’s roads. Our roads are already a nightmare at peak times with gridlock becoming the norm. WHY havent WBC looked into resolving the traffic problems we already have rather than supporting a scheme which will make it even worse. Compensation by way of a reduced toll…. no thanks… they should be PAYING LOCAL DRIVERS for having to put up will it all as we have no choice but to drive on the roads round here..
The point of building this new bridge has never been to reduce congestion locally but to develop the NETA corridor and the resultant mass flow of traffic from Eastern Europe will turn the whole of Warrington/Runcorn into one totally congested hell-hole. But that could be classed as mere inconvenience when compared to the far more dire effects of the massive increased pollution in an area that has already the highest rate of cardio-vascular disease – not just in Europe – but in the world!!!
Add this to their great plans to develop the chemical and nuclear industry in this area and you will realise that you have far more to worry about than wasted time in traffic jams!!!
If you think this is bad, add to this the massive increase in canal shipping traffic which is to be expected once Peel Holdings have developed their Atlantic Corridor right through Warrington. They even intend to build a huge port here to facilitate the vast increase in shipping through the town. The swing bridges at Stockton Heath and Chester Road will probably be more open than shut.
Whilst I’m on about it the view of WBC Transport dept. officers is that the toll at Widnes will increase traffic through Warrington by 3% max in off peak hours but at peak times 100% of users will pay the toll rather than avoid it via Warrington. Right!!!!! you couldn’t make it up.
NETA Corridor… Eastern Europe.. Altantic Corridors blummin heck sounds like something out of Star Trek….. ‘ beam me up Scotty ! ‘ . As for your last comment PJ …. they will only have to try to drive through Warrington once at peak times to be put off trying it again to save on the toll charge though 🙂 We should all trust the word of WBC Trasport dept though as they are never wrong 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂