Local MPs back calls for Commons bridge toll debate

LOCAL MPs Shona McIsaac and Austin Mitchell have backed the call for a Commons debate on the Humber Bridge Tolls.

Brigg and Goole MP Ian Cawsey asked the Leader of the House Harriet Harman for the debate during business questions, following the launch of the Humber Bridge Tolls Study earlier this week.

Ms Harman has promised to raise the matter with the Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon.

As reported, the report claims scrapping the Humber Bridge tolls would net a £1.1 billion windfall for our local economy over the next 25 years.

The Grimsby Telegraph, along with its sister papers in Hull and Scunthorpe, has launched a campaign calling for the bridge tolls to be scrapped, which has so far won the support of more than 1,200 people.

MPs from across the region now hope to agree a way forward before lobbying the transport secretary.

A proposal could be ready in time to coincide with the local transport bill which goes before parliament in two weeks time.

Ms McIsaac, MP for Cleethorpes, Immingham and Stallingborough, said: "We can't pretend it's going to be easy in the current climate, but the report strengthens our hand."

The MPs will discuss whether to propose a total abolition of the toll, or a reduction.

Ms McIsaac said: "We have two options and we have to discuss that locally. The thing with a zero toll is that money would have to be found elsewhere for maintenance. There's always been a worry that a zero toll would lead to council tax increases."

Great Grimsby MP Mr Mitchell said: "I would prefer it to be scrapped, but I think it's more likely that it will be reduced.

"It's going to be difficult to persuade the treasury. They are going to argue that the debt has got to be paid off.

"Our argument is that the economic benefits would outweigh the losses."

Give your support to the campaign by signing our on-line petition at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/bridgetolls