RHA describes HGV toll plan as "unacceptable"
Posted by Ben Brown.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has criticised proposals which would see leased commercial vehicles and HGV firms paying 50% more in tolls to cross a bridge.
If owners of the Tamar Bridge - which links Devon to Cornwall - impose their plans then the fare for a five or six axle arctic lorry crossing the Saltash structure would rise from £11 to £16.50.
Such a price hike in the current economic climate has been labelled "unacceptable" by the RHA.
The proposed pricing could leave haulage companies with large fleets regularly driving in south-west England significantly out of pocket.
RHA's area manager Michael Moore said: "A rise of 50% is totally unacceptable. Hauliers using the Tamar crossing can rest assured that we will be making our views known to the inspector running the public inquiry into the matter."
Tamar Bridge underwent a £4.5 million refurbishment in 2006 which saw its toll plaza replaced and electronic collection methods introduced.
