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Tunnel toll increase gets green light

A recommendation to increase the Tyne Tunnel toll by 10p to £1.10 for cars has been approved by transport bosses. The rise is intended to help fund the creation of a second crossing which is expected to open in 2011.

The £185m second Tyne tunnel, linking the A19 under the River Tyne between East Howdon (North Tyneside) and Jarrow (South Tyneside), is intended to alleviate congestion in the existing crossing. A rise in the tolls for HGVs - from £1.20 to £1.50 - was also approved.

Paul Fenwick, project director of the New Tyne Crossing which is running the scheme, said: “We know that tolls will have to rise to pay for the construction of the second vehicle tunnel and for the operation of all the tunnels under the river. “By increasing tolls in small incremental amounts each year we hope that tunnel users will continue to see the Tyne Tunnel as a cost-effective option for their journeys. “Tolls were increased to £1 for cars around five years ago, so a 10p rise is less than inflation over that period.”

The increase was approved in a meeting yesterday of the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (TWPTA). The decision must now be ratified by the Secretary of State for Transport. If approved, it will take effect from January 1 2007.

It is estimated that the toll for cars at the Tyne Tunnel could range between £1.55 and £2.10 at today’s prices once the second vehicle tunnel is opened.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .