Drivers using a popular route in the north of England will be forced to pay more within months, despite backlash from local residents and businesses.
Motorists around Liverpool will face higher tolls when using the Mersey Tunnels from April when cash payments rise by 20p to £2.30 per journey.
Residents and commuters in the area with T-Flow accounts will see a smaller increase of 10p, bringing their toll to £1.50 per crossing.
The changes will affect both the Kingsway and Queensway tunnels, which connect Liverpool with the Wirral peninsula.
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Toll prices will be hiked for the Mersey Tunnels in April
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Local residents using T-Flow will still be paying nearly half the maximum amount authorised under the Tunnels Act, which stands at £2.80 for 2025/26.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said the tunnels require millions of pounds of investment annually to maintain safe operations.
Maintenance and electricity costs have risen considerably in recent years, with power expenses alone reaching £2million annually.
The tunnels, which are not part of the national road network, receive no Government funding to support their operation and upkeep.
The toll increase has drawn criticism from campaign groups, with John McGoldrick from Scrap Mersey Tolls calling it “a disgrace”.
Despite this, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram addressed the balance required in setting the new rates.
He said: “We’ve tried to find a delicate balance between increased running costs, the necessary investment that we need, continued improvement and treasury management.”
The additional revenue will help fund initiatives to reduce congestion, improve air quality across the city region and boost public transport services.
Local residents, who account for 51 per cent of journeys, will continue to pay the same toll rate as in 2007 through their T-Flow accounts.
The authority has consistently used its powers to keep tolls as low as possible for all users, particularly for Liverpool City Region residents.
Recent investments in the tunnels include an £11million LED lighting upgrade to the Queensway Tunnel, which will reduce carbon output by 60 per cent, a similar lighting project in the Kingsway Tunnel in 2018 for £7.5million and the near completion of a £1.5million project to replace 36 jet fans that maintain airflow.
Technological improvements have halved transaction times and improved traffic flow, helping to reduce air pollution around the toll plaza during peak periods.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Money raised from the Mersey Tunnel is reinvested in maintenance and public transport projects
PA
The changes to tunnel tolls come alongside other transport fee adjustments in the region, including ferry fares which will increase from April. A single ferry crossing will rise by 10p to £3, with return journeys increasing from £3.80 to £4.
Mayor Steve Rotherham added: “We’re continuing to ensure that city region residents pay the lowest prices to travel around our area – whether by bus, train or car.
“Thousands upon thousands of residents will benefit from these proposals and we are committed to keep prices affordable, while continuing to improve our public transport system.”
