AI-generated image and article · Created using AI from source material and publicly available information.
Tamar Bridge Toll Booths Under Scrutiny Following Chief Officer’s Support for ANPR System
The future of the Tamar Bridge toll booths is being reconsidered following comments from Philip Robinson, the chief officer of Tamar Crossings. At a meeting held on Friday, September 25, in Bodmin with members of Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council’s Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry committee, Robinson stated that the removal of the toll booths is “something we absolutely need to do.”
Robinson’s remarks came in response to inquiries from the Tamar Toll Action Group, which has been advocating for the abolition of tolls. The group’s chairman, Scott Slavin, asked if they could access data to assess how the tolls impact local residents and businesses. Robinson confirmed that while raw data could be provided, processing it would require significant efforts.
Andrew Long, a Cornwall councillor and co-chair of the committee, reiterated the goal of establishing a toll-free crossing for both the bridge and the ferry. He suggested that lowering tolls for locals could be a preliminary measure before ultimately removing the toll booths and introducing an alternative payment system. Robinson expressed strong support for this ambition, citing the successful implementation of similar automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems at other crossings, such as the Humber Bridge and Tyne Tunnels.
A workshop is set to be conducted in October to further explore these options. Additionally, during the meeting, attendees raised concerns regarding the lack of public toilets at the Devonport and Torpoint ferry terminals. Robinson acknowledged the issue and noted that the toilets on all three ferries have been out of service since June 9. The committee has proposed revisiting the business case for reopening the terminals’ toilets, with a potential small charge discussed to fund their maintenance and deter vandalism.
Robinson also shared that Tamar Crossings generated £17.9 million in revenue over the past year, an increase of £1.32 million from the previous year. The current revenue position shows a surplus of £1.332 million, which is anticipated to shift to a deficit of £128,000 by March 2027, before returning to a projected surplus of £1.286 million thereafter.
