LOCALS ANGRY AFTER PEEL WINS THE RIGHT TO INCREASE TOLL CHARGES ON WARBURTON BRIDGE

Commuters heading over the Rixton and Warburton Toll Bridge from Salford are soon going to be paying far more than the current 12p it costs to traverse the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, after it was announced the applicant Peel Ports who own the bridge, were successful in their bid to change the cost of the crossing toll.

Proposals were accepted by the secretary of state for the toll to be increased an incredible 733.33% or in layman's terms, an increase from 12p each way to £1 each way.

The fee will be capped at £2 per day for drivers which is still a staggering eight fold increase on the current price.

The move has sparked anger from local communities who rely on the crossing to travel to and from work.

The inspector acknowledged the increased fee would impact and cause considerable financial pressure to those who most relied on the bridge, however, he still chose to pass the proposals. 

An original attempt to change the toll fee was blocked by a cross party motion objecting to the increases which was approved, however Peel challenged the decision and despite strong local opposition from residents and Warrington Council, has now won it's case.

Peel have long argued that the current toll fee is not enough to maintain the bridge and roads which lead up to it and that an increase of the toll was the only way to feasibly accomplish maintenance.

The company operate several other crossing which span the Ship Canal, thankfully without tolls, one of which is the aging Barton Road Bridge which is in some serious need of TLC.

Maybe some of the funding raised from the new toll could be put towards repairs and refurbishment of other bridges?

It is unclear as to when the new pricing will come into effect as it has been  agreed that the new charges will come in once work has been completed on upgrades to the bridge, but we can assume it will be as soon as it is possible.

Photo: Wikipedia