Shrewsbury’s Kingsland Bridge car toll could double – to 20p
Thursday 15th July 2010, 10:46AM BST.
The toll on Shrewsbury’s historic Kingsland Bridge, which has remained unchanged for more than 25 years, could double to help fund a major redecoration of the site.
The Shrewsbury Kingsland Bridge Company has applied to the Secretary of State for Transport to increase the toll charge for motorists from 10p to 20p.
The 1p no-obligatory charge for pedestrians and cycles will not change.
Consultation will take place before on the rise.
James Hodgson, director of the company, said the increase was needed to generate cash for maintenance and redecoration of the bridge.
He said: “The toll hasn’t been increased since 1985 and we need to build up funds for major redecoration of the bridge which has cost considerable amount.”
Ben Jason, marketing manager at Shrewsbury School, said: “The parents of the students use the bridge because it is very convenient for getting in and out of the town. It could be very interesting for the first few weeks if the toll is increased. It could cause disruption.”
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
- The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff doesn't raise a smile
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
If the parents can afford the fees at Shrewsbury School, then I’m sure they can afford another 50p per week! If not let them walk across the bridge!
Report abuse
Local Resident,
You beat me to it!
It may make up for the free pedestrian/cycle use we used to receive over the bridge back in the 1980′s when everyone else had to pay 1p
Report abuse
I don’t think it has remained unchanged for 25 years, I used to go the High School and I’m sure it was only 5p!
Report abuse
OK, let us look again at the maths of this situation, and at the same time stop sniping at who uses the bridge.
Such derogatory comments made by ‘Local Resident’ shows that this person has no idea who in fact uses this bridge. As well as SOME parents of pupils attending the school, many hundreds of other road users cross this bridge TWICE PER DAY to and from work.
Just imagine the added bottle neck of town traffic from the English Bridge direction if it were not so used.
Back to the maths then. Using this bridge everyday as many do, at 10p x 365 days per year = £36.50.
Now let us say each driver returns the same route, the cost is now 20p per day and now per year now amounts to £73.00 for EACH CAR.
IF THIS CHARGE DOES INCREASE BY THE PROPOSED 100% TO 20P EACH WAY, THE ANNUAL CHARGES FOR THE ABOVE EXAMPLE RISES TO A STAGGERING £146.00 PER YEAR PER CAR. YES £73.00 EXTRA FROM EACH DRIVER.
Who knows the true number of vehicles crossing this bridge this way, but if we dare speculate 500 such crossings AS ABOVE EXAMPLE, that makes £73,000.
At the end of the day, like most people I guess, I will still use this route rather than coming to a standstill in traffic. 20p is still good value for its use.
Report abuse