Bob Harris
We're a bit like central London's now with its congestion charge - you have to pay to get into the city. A Toll yes, but only at peak times. A Toll at all times will only serve to put more traffic on to Thelwell viaduct and the M62.
Mao
I would rather have one free bridge than 2,3,4 or however many tolled bridges. Freedom of movement is a basic human right. But obviously they are tolling it for a reason and although cynics may disagree I don't think its for purely profit reasons but rather to make the plan viable and sustainable. This issue highlights the underlying problems with our transport habits in general as a nation and I think that is something we ALL need to take responsibility for in every choice we make, not just to complain only when we think we are being hard done by.
Ian Sanderson
Once again the people of the Mersey basin get the short straw. Not one route across the river is to be without tolls., when other areas get toll free bridges. Perhaps we should take a leaf out of the Sky Islanders Book and refuse to pay.
Steve
Seeing the comments regarding the toll for the existing bridge, people are not thinking properly. If the existing is not tolled, then it is unlikey congestion would be eased because lots of people would still use the old bridge just to avoid paying!!
Steve
About time, and lets hope that Mr Darling doesn't play the same game as the government did with the Merseytram project - there are too many false starts in the Northwest on big infrastructure projects like this. It seems the government thinks only the South is worthy of such investment!!
Robert Gresty
I can understand why there is a proposal to put a toll on both bridges to make sure that sufficient revenue is raised to cover the cost the council has to pay for the new bridge. My only concern is that once this figure has been met, then the cost to cross the bridges should be either abolished or at least reviewed and altered, so for example that it only covers the annual maintenance cost of the bridges. Not like the mersey tunnels, were as it just seems to keep on going up and up.
joraf
I accept there should be a cost. We have it good already so we must not think that everything comes with a FREE tag on it.
Danny Bowes
Why don't Halton Borough Council leave the current bridge toll free?. They could use this bridge for local traffic, i.e no HGV's or lorries and then charge a toll on the new bridge where all the non local traffic will be diverted to? Why is that the people of Halton are being financially disadvantaged? Halton Borough Council are always promoting Runcorn and Widnes as 'one borough'. Why then, are the council now asking local people to pay for travelling within this one borough? Keep the Silver Jubilee bridge toll free for local people and let the new bridge pay for itself.
Simon Whitfield (Widnes)
I agree with what people are saying about putting a toll on the new and old bridge. We have had for many years now a free passage across the mersey so how can they start charging? Where I disagree is tolling the new bridge and not the old. Why would you pay to cross the water when several hundred yards away there is a free crossing. It should all or non.
Steve Overland
I don't understand why the council propose to put a toll on the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge as well as the new Mersey Crossing. Surely there should be a public consultation regarding this?. By all means charge a toll for the new bridge, but, by charging a toll for the Silver Jubilee Bridge as well, this is only going to penalise the people who actually live in Runcorn and Widnes. Will the people of Halton get free passes or a reduced rate? I use the bridge daily and am disgusted that I will now have to pay for this as well as all the other taxes that us motorists repeatedly get stung with. Halton Council should be ashamed with themselves over this decision to toll both bridges. Will the public get a chance to challenge this outrageous decision?
Liam Curry (Runcorn)
I would throw money at this as long as I got to work on time. Its mayhem in rush hour, and because I've got a decent Job paying excellent money in Lpool I'd happly pay extra to get there on time.
Ted Poley
Why is there going to be a toll on the old bridge? This will just make people drive through Warrington and increase the traffic on the already bursting Bridgefoot in Warrington Town Centre. Why not just toll the new bridge? This council needs to manage it's finances better. They all seem to get thousands in expenses, maybe they would like to forego these and put the money towards the new bridge. That way, this would leave the people of Halton to enjoy what meagre amount of their wages they have left after all the other stealth taxes this government has applied! What a complete rip off!! Toll the new bridge, leave the old one free. Anybody up for starting a petition?
Brian James Dix
I do not think drivers should have to pay to cross a bridge just because its a bit longer than say any of the bridges across the Thames.Tolls ok across the Mersey if London has tolls across the Thames.
Sam Beckett
I don't think they should charge a toll on the existing bridge. If they want to charge it on the new bridge fine, but I live in Warrington, work in Runcorn and my parents live in Widnes so I can go over the bridge 4 times a day. Why should I now have to pay each time for this. I think this is a big mistake by Halton Council to put a toll on both bridges. Yet again, the motorist has to pay. When will they ever leave us alone!
Colin MacGregor
Why not an option like the M6 toll. Free if you want to chug through the old route. Pay if you want a clear run. Seems to work well in Birmingham.
Jenny Kuhn
I lived in Widnes for a whole year. for a study abroad program from the School I was at in the States. While there I had to cross the Runcorn bridge a lot, but it has not fun at all. It took forever to get over. They where trying to fix it when I was there and a lane was always closed or something and drivers started to lose there patience. A new bridge is a good idea. It would make traffic less stressful. If I get to go back to England again and to Widnes and Runcorn, I would love to go over the new bridge.
Thanks,
Jenny Kuhn
Spokane, WA USA
John Rowe
There are a fair amount of council services that operate on both sides of the bridge. I work as part of a team of advisers that visit vilnerable people in their homes in Runcorn and Widnes - and bodies such as Social Services and care teams have offices on one side but deal with the population across the borough. I can't see how the additional costs won't result in reduced services. The whole thing is very worrying - and the idea that toll booths will relieve congestion on the old bridge is mystifying.
Andy -- Cheshire
I welcome the news however i do not agree with a charge. We already pay far too much for road travel in current tax
Charlotte
I agree with a small charge but nothing more than £ as £5 a week is a lot and anymore would make working life even harder.
It should be 3 lanes to begin with to save future road works.
Gareth - Runcorn
I agree we need the new crossing. But will I need to pay to take my children to see their family in Widnes. After living in the borough all my life I think that it is wrong that I should have to pay to move between Widnes and Runcorn.
As a public road are the going to sell the existing bridge to a private firm for it to become a toll road if not how can they put a toll on the bridge when we pay road tax?
Martin Evans, Liverpool
I'm totally against the idea of even the second bridge being built, never mind tolls on both. That way, anyone from Liverpool can't cross the Mersey without being charged. It is also going to be bad for business as well on both sides of the Mersey, so what is the point in the second bridge? I think the network leading up to the present bridge needs redesigning, which is what's causing peak hour traffic jams. Either way, there should be no tolls!!
angela collins
the bridge should be put accross the river, at a point near to the light house on one side and elton on the other- this would lessen traffic going via runcorn, it would provide direct access to all three motorways,m62,m57,m56,not to mention the wirral motorway, i think it would ease traffic considerabley
James Fletcher
They need to make an income from the building of the bridge. It could also bring tourism to the area.
c thompson
Another goverment rip off
what is road tax for!!!!!!!!
Paul G Mann
I do not think any crossing of the Mersey should attract tolls, so I note with regret that the new proposed bridge will attract tolls, likewise the old bridge supposedly to fund the new bridge. Will this toll be for a fixed period or like the tunnels, just another way of creaming money out of the public
Arthur Baker
Access across the Mesey should be FREE.
A Tunnel would have been less visually damaging to the Local Environment
Brian (Liverpool)
Sounds as though the problem is being moved from one bridge to the other if the new bridge is to be two lanes each way and the existing bridge is being used for public transport only. Tolls - another stealth tax !
Wendy Cocks
Can't we keep the current bridge toll free for local traffic? It will make local work a more expensive challenge. I work for a local charity and it frightens me.
Graham Lucas
I have always thought that the only way we could get this bridge built was if it was a toll bridge. However I consider that residents of Halton should be able to travel over the bridge for free or we will have a divided community.
Eddy McLoughlin
There should be no charge on the bridge or the tunnels. The council should control their costs better, this is a double whammy!
Gerry from Runcorn
It's good to see some investment from the Billions of taxes raised or robbed from motorists actually being spent on the road network for which it was meant.
But why is our government only funding half the amount?.
Is it we are being taxed yet again for using the same roads and bridges we have paid for many times over by the introduction of tolls.
For people not familar with the area of the old and proposed new bridges, are in the borough of Halton.
The borough is on both sides of the Mersey.
Does this mean that I will be asked to pay to go from one side of my borough to the other.
If so will my council tax be reduced for the privelige or will halton residents be exempt. I Bet not
