Bridge consultation plans dismissed by businessman

The businessman behind ambitious plans to buy the Humber Bridge’s debt says the bridge board’s move to “improve communication with users” misses the point.

Malcolm Scott is going head to head with the Humber Bridge Board, over rival plans to reduce the debt and tolls, with the Government expected to make a final decision this month.

The Board says it wants to create two consultation groups, a commercial group, including hauliers, bus companies and business users, and a non-commercial group, including commuters, people travelling to hospital, or who live nearby.

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The groups would meet at least once every year in the presence of the chairman and deputy chairman of the board and other officers.

Chairman Coun David Gemmell said: “We encourage people to take part so they can give users and local residents a better voice to discuss the future direction of the Humber Bridge.”

However Mr Scott – who says he remains confident of making the winning bid to Government – said: “A change in governance isn’t a superficial annual meeting with users they select.”

Mr Scott’s idea, revealed in February, would see the Humber Bridge’s £330m paper debt purchased for £100m. Tolls would drop to £1 after eight years spent paying off the £100m.

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But his bid faced an unexpected challenge after the board unexpectedly made a last-minute submission to the Treasury, also offering a £100m buy-out and proposing to cut tolls from £2.70 to £2.50 from April next year, and to £1.50 by 2020.