Prime Minister: 'We'll consider all aspects of toll debate'

The Prime Minister has assured readers of the Grimsby Telegraph the Government will consider "all aspects" of the case against raising the Humber Bridge toll.

Gordon Brown said last night the new transport secretary would make an announcement "as soon as possible".

There had been fears the decision to raise the cost of a single journey from £2.70 to £2.90 would be rubber- stamped by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis.

But the Prime Minister told the Telegraph: "I think I can assure you the Department for Transport and Andrew Adonis are considering all aspects of the independent inspector's report following the inquiry.

"The decision on the board's application for a toll increase will be made as soon as possible."

Humber Toll Action chairwoman Jenny Walton welcomed the comments.

She said: "If they are going to take into account all aspects, I hope they will take into account what all the witnesses had to say on tolls being abolished and the [bridge's] debt wiped out."

A decision now looks likely before Parliament takes its summer recess on July 21.

If the increase is refused, there are hopes the Government may be open to discussions about reducing or abolishing tolls.

The Telegraph's A Toll Too Far campaign is calling on the Government to scrap the toll or reduce it to £1 for cars.