The four councils in our area commissioned research into the economic impact of Humber Bridge tolls. It came as no surprise when the research revealed that the bridge acts as a barrier to economic growth.

The leaders of the four councils have told the public and MPs that they want the remaining debt to be cancelled, tolls abolished and the Government to change the law, so that ownership of the bridge, as well as all responsibility for repairs and maintenance, is taken on by the Department of Transport.

This is one of three ways in which tolls can be reduced. As your MP, if the option favoured by council leaders is the one that most people want, then I will fight for it.

Therefore, I want to find out what people think about the options.

Option 1

Write off the debt with repairs/maintenance funded via a token charge, eg, £1.

Advantages: Quickest. No change in the law required. No increase in council tax. Shops in Scunthorpe and Barton less affected by switch to shopping in Hull. Disadvantages: Less economic growth across the region than totally scrapping the toll.

Option 2

Write off the debt with repairs/maintenance paid by increasing council tax.

Advantages: Free crossing. No change in the law required. Disadvantages: Increase in council tax, downturn in retail in Scunthorpe and Barton. Fairness? Is it fair, for example, for someone in a low-paid job in, say, Barton, to subsidise someone in well-paid work to cross the river?

Option 3

Write off the debt with repairs and maintenance being taken over and paid by the Government.

Advantages: Free crossing. No increase in council tax. Economic growth in the region. Disadvantages: Very slow. Requires a change in the law. Given all the pressures at the moment, will the Government allow parliamentary time for such a change in the law? Downturn in retail in Scunthorpe and Barton.

WHICH OPTION DO YOU PREFER?
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW.