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

Climate Change Project Manager - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £45498.0000 per annum
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit this Climate Change Project Manager. To apply for this role please click here
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Occupational Therapist in Housing

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid
This opportunity is available as a 24 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.We're an adult social care service that wants to see citize England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
In our Family Assessment and Support Team, you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Relief Children's Residential Edge of Care Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£16.35 - £17.85
Here in North Yorkshire, we have several services that support and empower children. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Chief Executive

Leicestershire County Council
Up to £234,171
This is a rare opportunity to lead a council with both strength and ambition at a time of change. Leicestershire
Recuriter: Leicestershire County Council
Linkedin Banner