National Alliance Against Tolls - England

england   naat
HOME   England   Figures   London   M6 Toll   NEWS   Road Pricing   Scotland   Wales & Severn

ENGLAND

There are at least 22 tolls in England:-
Ancient tolls (15 or more)   Dartford Crossing   Durham "Congestion" Charge   Humber Bridge   Itchen Bridge   London "Congestion" Charge   M6 Toll   Mersey Tunnels   Middlesbrough Transporter and Newport Transporter   Severn bridges   Tamar bridge   Tyne Tunnel  

Ancient tolls (15 or more)

For this purpose "ancient" is over 100 years old. Britain used to have thousands of "turnpikes" and privately owned bridges. The tolls were hated, and caused riots in various parts of the country. Nearly all tolls had disappeared by 1918, as the authorities realised that people, goods and vehicles could move around more easily without the tolls. Under section 271 of the Highways Act 1980 there is power for the local authorities to compulsorily buy out any tolled road or crossing. Despite those and earlier powers around 15 tolls remain:-

Eight ancient toll bridges that are governed by Act of Parliament:-
  • Aldwark Bridge -
    aldwarkbridgeThis is one of 10 or more ancient tolls. The bridge comes under a 1772 Act of Parliament and opened in 1770s. It carries Boat Lane across the river Ure near Aldwark, which is ten miles north west of York.
    The toll is 40 pence each way for cars, with higher tolls for trucks. There are about 0.7 million crossings a year generating income of about £0.4 million. The bridge is run by a private company. It is a small bridge over a narrow river and is probably the most expensive crossing in Britain - the toll works out at about £10 a mile.
    In April 2005, there was an Inquiry into a proposed toll increase. The increases were said to be needed to stem financial losses by the bridge company. There were over twenty objections including the local parish council - Linton on Ouse. The council said that private ownership of roads was archaic, and that tolls hit people who had to cross the bridge for education, leisure, work and business. The council and other objectors asked that the bridge be taken over by central or local government. Drivers who use the Aldwark bridge have little choice as there would otherwise be a detour of up to 25 miles. At the end of July 2005, the Minister approved the increases, with the toll for cars shooting up from 15 pence to 40 pence. Inspector's Report   Minister's Decision.
    Link:- BBC page.

  • Clifton Suspension Bridge -
    cliftonThe bridge opened in 1864 and carries what is now the B3129 across the Avon gorge near Bristol.
    The bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and though it is an important traffic artery, is treated more like a monument.
    The toll is 30 pence each way for cars and "vehicles drawn by a horse or other animal". There are bulk tickets available at a discount.
    There are about 4.1 million crossings a year generating income of about £1 million. The bridge is run by a charitable Trust. Though none of the charity is for the roads users, with much of the tolls going towards museum / conservation activities and illuminations.
    The Trust is trying to raise the tolls, but we and others have objected. There is to be a public inquiry on Tuesday 10th October 2006 at the Avon Gorge Hotel, Sion, Clifton. In the meantime, early in 2006, the Trustees increased income by reducing the discount on bulk tickets.
    Our latest submission on the increase - 3 October 2006     Our original objection to the increase - 1 December 2005.
    We have been waiting some time to see accounts for the bridge for the year ended December 2004. As the Trustees were applying for a toll increase, you might think that these accounts would have been available promptly. But it was over 14 months before the accounts were deposited at the Charity Commission. The accounts show that there are large reserves (over £6.5 million):- 2004 Accounts.
    Links:- Official site   ABD - Avon & Somerset

  • Dunham Bridge - 1830s - operated by Dunham Bridge Company - carries the A57 over the River Trent 10 miles west of Lincoln - 25 pence toll for cars.

  • Rixton & Warburton Bridge - 1890s - carries the B5159 over the Manchester Ship canal 4 miles west of Altrincham - 24 pence toll for cars.
  • Kingsland Bridge - age unknown - operated by Shrewsbury (Kingsland) Bridge Company - carries a minor street over one loop of the Severn near the centre of Shrewsbury - 10 pence toll for cars.
  • Swinford Bridge -1770s - carries the B4044 over the River Thames near Eynsham, 4 miles west of Oxford - 10 pence toll for cars. There is a campaign to remove the tolls:- Petition to David Cameron against the tolls   Journal of Jane Tomlinson campaigner against the tolls
  • Whitchurch on Thames Bridge 1902 - carries the B471 over the River Thames 4 miles north west of Reading - 10 pence toll for cars.
  • Whitney on Wye Bridge - early 1800s - carries the B4350 over the Wye 15 miles west of Hereford - 50 pence toll for cars.

    There are two unregulated toll roads that were established by Royal Charters of 1443 - Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbots, and 1619 - College Road, Dulwich.

    There are also a few other unregulated private toll roads. The ones that we know of are:- a) Batheaston, nr. Bath; b) Cartford bridge in the Fylde, c) Kewstoke Woods, Weston-super-Mare (this toll was collected on behalf of North Somerset Council and collection was suspended in 2005 as it cost too much to collect, in January 2007 it was reaffirmed by the Council that the toll would not be collected and that the council would continue to maintain this "private" road), d) Kynance Cove, Cornwall, and e) Porlock, Devon.

    Back to top

    Dartford Crossing

    dartfordThe Dartford Crossing is in fact 3 crossings (two 2 lane tunnels opened in 1963 and 1980 and a four lane bridge opened in 1991) which carry London's outer orbital motorway, the M25, across the Thames.
    The toll is £1 each way for cars, with higher tolls for trucks. There are about 54 million crossings a year generating income of about £65 million. The original cost of the crossings was recovered by around 2002, but the Government decided to keep the tolls, which will generate a profit of about £50 million a year. The crossings are managed by a private French company - "Le Crossing".
    The Government claim that they kept the tolls to control the traffic. The truth is that the tolls delay traffic, add to vehicle emissions and can cause accidents. To the extent that they influence traffic, it will be to take the long way round the orbital motorway, adding more to congestion and vehicle emissions.
    This is part of an article that Brian Macdowall of the Association of British Drivers wrote for the Dartford Times in November 2006 -
    "Are you one of an estimated 40 million drivers? - That's just about every adult in the U.K.
    As blood and oxygen moves seamlessly via arteries in a healthy body so road journeys should be comparatively easy along our road network. The reality is very different.
    Dartford has probably the worst deliberately designed bottleneck in the UK caused by extracting toll charges in order to cross the Thames.
    What do you get for paying tolls? - Daily and lengthy jams, increased pollution levels, huge economic cost in missed appointments, wasted fuel, late deliveries, and excessive wear and tear on brakes and clutches.
    Kent MP Steve Ladyman, the Roads Minister, insists the tolls are necessary for safety reasons in order that the passage of traffic can be safely metered. In case of what one asks. Is all that traffic sitting on the bridge unsafe? If that's true we better find another way of crossing the river!

    Links:- Our response to the Dartford toll consultation in 2007 (pdf)   Scrap the Tolls (Campaign by UKIP against tolls on Dartford crossing)   Dartford's Labour MP - "TIME FOR THE TOLLS TO GO SAYS MP"   Department for Transport - The Dartford - Thurrock River Crossing


    Durham "Congestion" Charge

    This was Britain's (possibly the world's) first area toll. It was introduced on 2nd Ocrtober 2002. It is £2 and covers just one street! There are about 100,000 vehicles entering it each year, generating about £200,000 income. The county council said in October 2005 that it was thinking of extending it.
    In December 2005, a park and ride scheme was introduced in Durham. Nothing odd about that maybe, except that it was the first such scheme in the North East of England, and all the £9 million cost was being met by the government. Perhaps one advantage of "congestion" charge schemes is that the authorities have to try and do something to make it appear as if the charge is improving things.
    Link:- Durham County Council - Durham City Road User Charge Scheme

    Back to top


    Humber Bridge

    humberNew (October 2008) petition - "A Toll Too Far" The Humber Bridge opened in 1981, and is the longest single span suspension bridge. At £2.70 toll for cars and up to £18.30 for trucks, it is Britain's most expensive river crossing. The Bridge links the A15 on the south side to the A164 and Hull.
    The bridge carries about 6.1 million vehicles a year, generating income of about £20 million. The present tolls applied from 24th April 2006, following a Public Inquiry in February. Inspector's report   Minister's decision   2006 Toll Increase Order

    The only official objectors at the Inquiry were a few bus companies and one individual. We complained that the information on the toll authority's website was misleading, as it had given no indication that formal application for an increase had been made and that people could object. This is particularly frustrating as toll authorities usually say something like "the increase must be OK, for almost no one has objected". To a large extent these Toll Increase Inquiries have no effect, as the Government Minister invariably approves increases, and almost no one knows in time that they can object.

    The bridge debt would have been paid off many years ago, if it hadn't been for the capitalisation of losses. Outside the world of tolls, capitalisation of losses would not be allowed. In effect the current users of the bridge are paying what the Government should have borne 20 years or more ago. Though the latest tolls increase may pay off the debt quicker, this is unlikely to benefit bridge users. In almost every case as a tolled crossing has become debt free, the Government of the day has moved the goal posts and kept the tolls.

    In May 2004, the Humber Forum published a study of the tolls. The Forum is composed of people (company bosses and local authority people) that tend to support tolls. The study backed keeping (and even increasing the tolls).

    The tolls particularly hit people from the south of the river who have to visit hospitals in Hull. There is a longstanding "Axe The Toll On Health" campaign.

    Links:- Humber Action Against Tolls   Petition (closed) to PM   Official site   Bridge Board Report and accounts for 2007/08.

    Some news stories on the tolls around the time of the Increase Inquiry:-
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 22 Mar 2006 - "'MILLSTONE ROUND REGION'S NECK'"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 16 Mar 2006 - "TOLL ISSUE RAISED WITH PM"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 2 Mar 2006 - "'HANDS ARE TIED OVER BRIDGE TOLLS'"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 15 Feb 2006 - "'THEY'LL NEVER PAY OFF DEBT'"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 15 Feb 2006 - "THANK YOU FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 8 Feb 2006 - "BRIDGE BOARD: 'WE CAN'T SCRAP TOLLS'"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 7 Feb 2006 - "LISTEN TO US"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 7 Feb 2006 - "PROTESTERS LINE UP TO FIGHT TOLL"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 2 Feb 2006 - "'DIE HAPPY' IF SUCCESS"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 2 Feb 2006 - "PARLIAMENT BILL ON TOLLS 'FLAWED'"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 26 Jan 2006 - "'CHARGE TO VOICE YOUR DISMAY'"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 26 Jan 2006 - "BRIDGE TOLL FIGHT WELL WORTH COST"
    Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - 26 Jan 2006 - "2,000 PAID TO GET TREATMENT"
    Hull Daily Mail - 3 Mar 2006 - "HIGH TOLLS SHOW POOR GRASP OF ECONOMICS"
    Hull Daily Mail - 27 Feb 2006 - "BRIDGE FEE IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON OUR REGENERATION"
    Hull Daily Mail - 6 Feb 2006 - "BRIDGE BOARD TO HOLD INQUIRY INTO TOLL COSTS"

    Back to top


    Itchen Bridge

    itchenThe Itchen bridge opened in 1977 and carries the otherwise toll free A3025 across the river in Southampton.
    The toll is 60 pence each way for cars, with higher tolls for trucks. There are about 7 million crossings a year generating income of about £5 million. The income each year is equal to the amount that was borrowed to pay for the bridge. Residents get discounts of up to 50%. There are several toll free crossings.
    Link:- Official site   an unofficial site


    London "Congestion" Charge

    towerThe charge was introduced on 17th February 2003. It was the world's first such scheme on any scale.
    Its success is much hyped and largely mythical.
    Link:- Our dedicated page (includes links to various sites)

    M6 Toll

    m6tollThe M6 Toll opened in December 2003. It was Britain's first tolled highway (excluding river crossings) for over 100 years. And so far it is the only one!
    Link:- Our dedicated page

    Back to top


    Mersey Tunnels

    wallaseyThere are three tunnels joining Liverpool to the Wirral peninsula. A four lane tunnel to Birkenhead and A41 was opened in 1934, and a pair of two lane tunnels to Wallasey and M53 were opened in 1971 and 1974.
    The toll is £1.30 each way for cars, with higher tolls for trucks. There are about 26 million crossings a year generating income of £35 million.
    The Tunnels should by now have been toll free, but are run at a profit by the local transport authority. They are the only tolled crossing in the middle of a conurbation.
    Link:- There is a lot more information about the Tunnels and the campaign against the tolls here:-Mersey Tunnels Users Association


    Severn Bridges

    severnThere are two bridges crossing the Severn from England into Wales.
    Link:- They are included on Wales & Severn page


    Tamar Bridge

    tamarThe Tamar bridge opened in 1961 and carries the otherwise toll free A38 across the river from Devon (Plymouth) into Cornwall.
    The toll is one pound for cars but is only payable in east bound direction (Cornwall to Devon), with higher tolls for trucks. There is a discount of 50% for cars and trucks buying 40 prepaid tickets. There are about 7.5 million crossings a year generating income of about £4 million. The tolls are used to subsidise a ferry which runs from Torpoint to Devonport.
    Link:- Official site

    Back to top


    Middlesbrough Transporter and Newport Transporter

    We have included these two "bridges" though they are operated more as tourist attractions than as road links. The vehicle is carried on a platform slung under the bridge gantry, so their effect is like that of a ferry.
    middlesborough The Middlesbrough Transporter bridge opened in 1911 and links the A178 across the river Tees from the north into Middlesbrough.
    The toll is 80 pence each way for cars. There are only about 100 thousand crossings a year generating income of about £0.1 million. The bridge is owned by Middlesbrough Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council with Middlesbrough Council responsible for the day-to-day running.
    newport The Newport Transporter bridge opened in 1906 and links the B4237 across the river Usk in Newport. There are various toll free crossings.
    The toll is 60 pence each way for cars. There are only about 100 thousand crossings a year generating income of about £0.1 million. The bridge is run by Newport Borough Council.
    Links:- Middlesborough Council bridge page   Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge (has links to other sites)   Unofficial site on Transporter bridges


    Tyne Tunnel

    tyneThis is a two lane tunnel to the east of Newcastle, run by the local transport authority.
    It links North Shields to Jarrow and opened in 1967.
    The toll is £1 each way for cars, with higher tolls for trucks. There are about 12 million crossings a year generating income of £12 million.
    Though the tunnel makes a profit, the toll for cars will increase to £1.10 in January 2007. There are further annual increases planned, supposedly to pay in advance for the building of a second toll tunnel.
    The second toll tunnel will be operated by a private consortium who will also take over the existing tunnel.
    Link:- Campaign against the tolls: North East Against Tolls; There are 3 official sites, this is one of them: Transport Authority - Tunnel

    Back to top


    HOME   England   Figures   London   M6 Toll   NEWS   Road Pricing   Scotland   Wales & Severn