Bridge toll scheme sees cost rise

Tamar Bridge carries about 50,000 vehicles a day

The cost of upgrading the toll collection system on the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint ferries has risen from just under £2m to over £3m.

A "tag" scheme is being proposed to replace the 15-year-old system of discount vouchers for frequent users.

Bridge manager David List said the increase was due to improvements in the scheme and the equipment, not delays in awarding contracts.

He said the expense would not be passed on to motorists.

The electronic method involves the fitting of small transmitters, or tags, in cars. Roadside equipment would detect the tags and trigger a debit from a pre-paid account.

It is now hoped the new collection method, which had been originally costed at £1.8m, will be in place by April 2006.

Tamar Bridge, which opened in 1961, carries about 50,000 vehicles a day.