Economic boost hope as Humber tolls halve

Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Economic Secretary to Treasury Chloe Smith have agreed to the local authorities’ response to the Government’s offer to write down £150m of the bridge debt.

Tolls are due to come down on April 1 – with motorcyclists, who had paid £1.30 to cross, travelling for free for the first time, and motorists charged £1.50.

Ms Smith said: “This important deal will allow the toll for cars on the Humber Bridge to fall by £1.50.

“Agreement with the local authorities means the bridge will be more affordable for families and businesses, and hopefully deliver a real boost to the Humber area economy.”

In a joint statement the four unitary authorities said a reform of the Bridge Board – which is being cut from 22 members to six, including two new business representatives – would bring “new expertise and sharper commercial focus”.

The four – including North East Lincolnshire Council which had balked at the change – have agreed to underwrite 25 per cent of any operating deficit of the board.

It has been suggested that there needs to be a 36 per cent increase in traffic over four years for the sums to stack up.

East Riding Council leader Coun Steve Parnaby was pleased agreement had been reached, but warned a debt of £182m remained, adding: “there is the potential for toll increases in the future unless traffic flows increase, but we would be starting at half the current level.”

Chair of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership Lord Haskins said cutting tolls “can do nothing but stimulate cross-estuary traffic for the betterment of industry and commerce in the region.”

The local authorities and the board intend to jointly promote a private Bill to amend the Humber Bridge Acts, to extend the board’s borrowing powers.