Dunham Bridge toll could rise for a second time to ease queues
Motorists will have to pay more to get in and out of Lincoln if new toll charges for Dunham Bridge are approved.
The Dunham Bridge Company, which manages the Lincolnshire to Nottinghamshire link bridge in Newton on Trent, wants to increase the toll for cars, vans and minibuses to 40p, including VAT.
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Drivers could end up paying more for using the Dunham Bridge
It follows a previous VAT increase of 6p in April this year, after the Government scrapped its tax reimbursement scheme.
According to a public notice from the Dunham Bridge Company, the higher toll is intended to be a "simplified charge", as it claims traffic levels have increased since the 36p toll was introduced.
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Mike Ward, 25 from Sutton-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire, works in Lincoln and uses the bridge from Monday to Friday.
"When the charge went up to 36p there was a lot more traffic in the morning and evening because not everyone has 36p in change," he said.
"In an ideal world, it'd be nice if they only charged 25p and added the 5p in VAT to make it 30p, but I'm happy to pay extra if it means I'm going to get to work and back home quicker.
"There are some people who hand over £5 and £10 notes, which means it takes longer to get through, and others who get turned away for not having the money.
"Maybe it might be a good idea to charge 40p but give the extra 4p to charity for each driver? I'd rather do that than sit and wait."
The company also plans to introduce a pre-payment system, which means regular drivers will still be able to pay the current rate of 36p.
It also wants to abolish charges for motorcycles and tri-cars and reduce the charge for lorries or vans with trailers from 70p to 60p.
The application has now been made to the Department for Transport (DfT).
Anyone who wishes to lodge an objection against the proposed toll changes is asked to contact the Secretary of State for Transport, courtesy of Julian Smith, at the DfT and Mrs Epton at the Dunham Bridge Company. Objections must be lodged before November 22.
Comments
by freddybuoy
Friday, January 04 2013, 9:38AM
“It is a shame that an email link to the D.F.T. wasn't provided within this article so that observations could have been made with less hassle.”
by trickytrev
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 11:57AM
“Another rip-off”
by freddybuoy
Saturday, December 29 2012, 12:54PM
“Why are we being charged each way ?
1) Charge on Toll Booth side ( Lincs )
2) No charge from Notts side. ( 2/3 booth's )
3) Large saving on operatives wages.
4) Cost of increases paid for with these savings.
5) Round down to a whole figure.
6) All users pay their fair share because no need to speed up the
payment process as increased efficiency.
Who is running this company ?? They seem to be pretty short of ideas other than price increases for car drivers.
Should be take over - Compulsory Purchase - by the Government and if it requires an Act of Parliament so be it.”
by FreedomSpeech
Friday, October 12 2012, 6:44PM
“"According to a public notice from the Dunham Bridge Company, the higher toll is intended to be a "simplified charge", as it claims traffic levels have increased since the 36p toll was introduced."
I wonder if they'll remember that the next time they increase the charges?”
by simonlincs
Friday, October 12 2012, 5:26PM
“If you don't pay the troll will eat you,thats about as ridiculous as having to pay to cross this one bridge,dunham must have delusions of grandeur”
by lynnlincoln
Friday, October 12 2012, 4:33PM
“I don't do 'scrabble', my toll money is sorted and in a convenient place in my vehicle to hand it over without messing around for bits of schrapnel, after all I know where I'm headed before I set off!”
by Lincoln_Biker
Friday, October 12 2012, 3:45PM
“"So, in a nutshell, they want car drivers to pay for motorbikes and the reduction for lorries. This can't be fair - can it"
I'm happy to pay for my passage across the toll bridge. I cant speak for HGVs. However, to get my 40p out I need to take off my gloves, scrabble through 2 outer layers, unzip my inner pocket, pay, then go back through the process before I can set off. At off peak times when there's only one booth, at the point when I'm ready to set off I could count a dozen frustrated car drivers queueing behind me for their turn. What do you want... A stress free passage or a patient wait?”
by Tinkertiler
Friday, October 12 2012, 9:36AM
“Mr_Sneer im afraid to tell you that you are wrong in saying that motorbikes are better for the enviroment than cars. Yes they use less fuel BUT the gas that comes out of the exhaust is more dangerous to the enviroment than cars.”
by Mr_Sneer
Friday, October 12 2012, 9:17AM
“"Motorists will have to pay more to get in and out of Lincoln if new toll charges for Dunham Bridge are approved."
Gosh, I never realised the city limits were so far-reaching.
"So, in a nutshell, they want car drivers to pay for motorbikes and the reduction for lorries. This can't be fair - can it?"
Motorcycles cause less pollution and congestion than cars, so every incentive to get people to use them should be applauded (thanks also for paying for my numerous excursions over the Humber Bridge by the way - your contribution is much appreciated). As for paying for funding a reduction for lorries, presumably you'd prefer the lorries to pay extra so that your charge could be reduced to 30p?”
by VictorToo
Friday, October 12 2012, 8:59AM
“Can I suggest that
a) they simplify the charges. When you get close to the bridge and your looking for how much you need to pay, there's a board full of writing with so many options, it's really difficult to see which one applies to you. Why can't we just have motorbikes, cars, small vans and cars with caravans, lorries. Simple.
b) put up a tariff board a lot further down the road than the one they already have. Having the board where it is (right on top of the toll booths), it doesn't give you any time to get your money out ready.”