Labour politicians warning over Tamar Crossings “unfunded” toll freeze plan 

• Labour analysis suggests Tamar Crossings’ financial reserves due to be exhausted after one year if unfunded toll freeze plan goes ahead.

• Plymouth City Council Leader warns unfunded toll freeze would mean losing one of the three Torpoint Ferries in service.

• Alternative plan by Labour calls for cheaper tolls for local people over a blanket toll freeze.

Plymouth Labour are warning that proposals by the Conservatives to freeze tolls for the Tamar Crossings is unfunded and would force the governing body to cut one of the three Torpoint ferries from service.

According to Labour analysis of the Tamar Bridge Committee’s business plan, there will be a £1.19 million deficit in the Budget for the Tamar Crossings by the end of 2025/26 if the tolls do not increase in November 2024.

Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council are liable to pay any budget deficit for Tamar Crossings. Both local authorities have previously made clear that neither one can afford to cut local budgets any further to pay for the Crossings deficit.

Plymouth City Council Leader, Tudor Evans, has warned that a toll freeze would leave both councils “no choice” but to cut one of the three Torpoint ferries from service in order to balance the books.

Locally, Labour’s Tamar Tolls campaign has been arguing for cheaper tolls for local people. The party says that while cash fares would need to be increased, their plan would see Tamar Tag tolls made cheaper for local residents, avoiding any increase to the overall spending envelope of the bridge and ferry.

Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Sutton and Devonport, said:

“No one wants to pay tolls, but we all understand this pays for a safe, efficient ferry and bridge. A toll freeze without Government money to pay for it would mean a £1 million cut to the budget of the bridge and ferry.

“I worry that to balance the books there would be no other choice than to remove one of the three Torpoint ferries. This is the devastating consequences of this unfunded Conservative campaign.

“That’s why I’m campaigning for cheaper tolls for local people that would help families in the cost of living crisis and keep the bridge and ferry operating normally.”

Under current plans, the toll increase for the Tamar Crossings is due to rise annually from £16.32 million to £18.76 million – an increase of £2.44 million. The rises are designed to allow three ferries and the bridge to continue operating at a time when costs have increased due to inflation and the cost of fuel and materials has also seen a sharp rise.

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said:

“Both councils have approved the toll rise which is essential to keep three ferries and the bridge operational.

“If Ministers want to start subsidising the bridge and ferry I’d welcome it, but they have refused to date and I see no sign of them changing their mind now.

“The desperate Tory campaign to freeze tolls would leave the bridge finances vulnerable, with insufficient reserves to cover unexpected problems. To make up the difference, there’d be no choice but to cut one of the three ferries to two, with all the problems of delays all year round. 

““That’s the consequence of a campaign designed to save Tory seats at the General Election not support the crossings sustainably.”

Anna Geldard, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate in South East Cornwall, added:

“Living locally, I know how much the area relies on an efficient ferry connection with Plymouth. Anything that endangers that must be stopped.

“I cannot support an unfunded toll freeze that would see vital services cut but I wholeheartedly back a policy of cutting tolls for people who live here, regularly using the Tamar Bridge and the Torpoint Ferry.”