Tamar Tolls Debate Blocked in Cornwall Council

Cornwall Council’s Vice Chair Jordan Rowse has blocked a debate on a motion calling for Central Government to fully fund the Tamar Crossings, enabling the tolls to be abolished. The matter will now be discussed by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee and may not come back to Full Council for up to six months. Responding to the decision, the motion’s proposer, Cllr Colin Martin said:

“This decision is highly questionable. Of course if a motion proposes cutting a service or increasing Council expenditure, it makes sense to consult the relevant committee, but the facts of this situation are already well known: The crossings cost our local economy £15 million per year, and the burden falls disproportionately on the residents of South East Cornwall. Central Government Funding and abolition of the tolls would give a real boost to one of the poorest areas in the UK.

Whilst both the Conservatives and Labour seem unwilling to take a stand, I have already secured unanimous support from the Lib Dems across the whole of South West England.”

Cllr Martin is calling on anyone who supports abolishing the tolls to sign his petition at www.seclibdems.uk/tamar-tolls