Councils fund bridge tolls study

Tolls go towards paying off the bridge's £333m debt

A detailed study is to begin into the impact of the Humber Bridge tolls on the local economy.

The £60,000 research is being funded by the four local authorities on either side of the Humber estuary.

It will be carried out by civil engineering consultancy Colin Buchanan which is due to report in September.

North Lincolnshire Council said: "It is hoped the research will provide compelling evidence... resulting in the tolls being abolished."

Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire councils are each contributing up to £15,000 towards the study's cost.

Tolls were introduced on the bridge to pay back the £333m cost of building it.

Carl Minns, leader of Hull City Council, said: "I wholly support this research as I believe the tolls have a negative impact on the local economy.

I'm confident this research will be a significant weapon in the battle to abolish or reduce the tolls Andrew De Freitas, North East Lincolnshire Council leader

"I hope this research will show the government that change is needed."

Mark Kirk, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: "I'm convinced the high cost of tolls on the Humber Bridge hold back the region.

"But I know the government will not change its position without quality research showing the real impact the tolls are having."

Stephen Parnaby, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "My personal view, no doubt like many others, that the bridge should be part of the national road network.

"But we need the evidence by the appointed consultants to prove the economic case."

Andrew De Freitas, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "They (the tolls) also have a major impact on residents who need to access services across the river - many people on the south bank travel frequently to the hospitals in Hull.

"I'm confident this research will be a significant weapon in the battle to abolish or reduce the tolls."

Jenny Walton, who leads the campaign group Humber Action Against Tolls, said: "The removal of the tolls would be a major boost to the local economy, but if the campaign against the tolls is to really succeed we also need the active involvement of as many people as possible from both sides of the river."