Dunham Bridge Authorities Announce Increase in Toll Fees
Drivers passing through Dunham Bridge, the only toll bridge in the county, witnessed an increase in the ticket prices close to double for the first time in years this July. The bridge, connecting Lincolnshire to Nottinghamshire, presented this change amidst mixed reactions from the public.
The 'Fair' Increase
Despite the raised eyebrows, many argue the toll increase still makes using the bridge cheaper than opting for alternative routes. The management justifies this new development, expressing that charging bridge users could be a fairer option.
Simon Betteridge, one of the directors at Dunham Bridge Company, said, "There is a basic fairness that the user pays and others aren't having to pay to maintain something that many people in the nation will never use."
Behind the Price Surge
According to Betteridge, the team tried to delay the price hike for as long as feasible, but increasing signs of bridge deterioration, escalating health and safety costs, and the enduring effects of the Covid-19 pandemic left them with no other option.
The Future Investments
Plans are underway for resurfacing the bridge in the coming years, an undertaking that needs financing. Furthermore, statistics show that approximately 80,000 cars cross the bridge each week, with tollbooth operators interacting with over 1,000 drivers every shift.
Glyn Holmes, a supervisor at the bridge, added, "Some people don't want to pay to cross the bridge. But if you took away the toll, the bridge would still be there and it would still have to be maintained."
The Analogy
Glyn draws a comparison to potential fuel cost increase, indicating drivers would contribute more towards road maintenance based on their usage. He further explains, "They've discussed in the past getting rid of road fund licence and putting extra on the cost of fuel, because then fuel users would be paying for the roads - not every car user."