‘HUGE questions’ hang over the justification for a major increase in charges on the Warburton Toll Bridge near Lymm.

The Manchester Ship Canal Company revealed earlier this year that it was planning to increase charges on the Warburton Toll Bridge and carry out upgrades.

The company, which owns and operates the bridge, said it planned to raise the fee from 12p to £1.

But the proposed move sparked serious concerns.

Following completion of the non-statutory consultation and the publication of the consultation feedback report in relation to the proposals for the bridge, an application has now been submitted to the transport secretary, under the Transport and Works Act 1992, for the proposed Rixton and Warburton Bridge Order.

The proposals require statutory authorisation.

Cllr Graham Gowland (LD – Lymm South) says it is ‘good to see’ that Peel Ports are acknowledging their responsibilities to the community and planning to improve the crossing.

He added: “The degree of dilapidation, which can be seen in the drop of the weight capacity, but also the inappropriate toll payment system, which leads to delays, is well overdue.

“There are however huge questions over their justification for the huge increase in tolls they are proposing.

“The crossing incorporates the cantilever bridge, but maintenance of this bridge and the access ramps sits with the Manchester Ship Canal Company operating costs, not the toll undertaking, and that’s who needs to be paying for the bridge repairs.

“I will be responding to the application and ensuring the repair costs are appropriately allocated.

“The Manchester Ship Canal Company is hugely profitable, and as a strategic asset, it needs to be maintained appropriately.

“Strip out the £5.5 million or so costs that are maintenance of the Cantilever Bridge and the associated roadway, and there is no justification for toll increases. Attempting to wipe out the responsibilities the MSC has for repairing the high level bridge with the ‘clean slate’ statement is completely unacceptable, and I am sure many of my fellow residents will agree.”

But the company has issued a statement on the issue.

A spokesperson said: "It has always been the case that the maintenance of such bridges should be covered by the toll paid by the beneficiaries of its use.

"As the business case shows, 12p per crossing is clearly insufficient. The bridge requires modernisation and an appropriate level of toll to ensure it has a sustainable future."