William Eichler 16 July 2018

Council refuses to repay controversial bridge tolls

A council has refused to repay controversial bridge tolls despite a tribunal ruling they had made a number of ‘procedural errors’.

Motorists using the Mersey Gateway Bridge are required to pay Halton Borough Council a £2 fee as it is part of a ‘road user charging scheme’.

However, the legality of these charges has been challenged in two different cases by six motorists.

The Traffic Penalty Tribunal concluded the appeals would be allowed because the council had not specified the charges to be paid for crossing the bridge.

The signs warning drivers of the toll also ‘could be improved’, said tribunal adjudicator Edward Solomons.

Despite this ruling, Halton council said it is under ‘no legal obligation to repay any toll or penalty paid on failing to pay a toll.’

‘Adjudication by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) cannot and does not, in law, invalidate or remove the powers in place from the 14 October 2017 to toll and enforce tolls on the Mersey Gateway Bridge,’ said a council statement.

‘Adjudication is specific to the case being considered, and any decision of an adjudicator only relates to that particular case.

‘A decision of TPT does not have general effect and can not remove the validity of the order or the obligation to pay.

‘Any suggestion that the council has no power to charge or enforce tolls or that the council is acting “illegally” is misleading, inaccurate and wrong in law.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Virtual School Inclusion Support Officer

Essex County Council
£32768.0000 - £38550.0000 per annum
Virtual School Inclusion Support OfficerPermanent, Term Time£32,768 to £38,550 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Business Development Officer

Essex County Council
£36341.0000 - £42754.0000 per annum
Senior Business Development Officer - Integrated Passenger Transport UnitFixed Term, Full Time£36,341 to £42,754 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview dates
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner