THE staggering cost of using Warburton Bridge following the introduction of a new toll has been revealed.

It was recently announced that the Government had granted bridge owners Peel Ports permission to increase the toll from 12p per crossing to £1 per crossing.

The increase has been widely criticised by residents, activists, Warrington Borough Council, and a local MP.

Warrington Guardian: The bridge toll will increase from 12p to £1The bridge toll will increase from 12p to £1 (Image: Newsquest)

Now, the Warrington Guardian can reveal how much it will cost to use the bridge with the new toll charges in place.

For a commuter who uses the bridge twice per day - once on the way to work and once on the way back - it will cost a staggering £480 with the new toll.

This is compared to the old price of £57.60 per year.

These prices are based on the old toll of 12p per crossing - which equates to £1.20 per working week, and £4.80 per working month - and the new toll of £1 per crossing - equalling £10 per working week, and £40 per working month.

This is an overall increase of 733.33 per cent.

Peel Ports has announced that some local postcodes will receive a half-price discount for using the bridge, but this would still see commuters who use the bridge daily have to fork out £240 per year.

Even with the half-price discount, commuters will still be paying over £180 more per year to use the bridge.

For daily commuters in the area, their discounted yearly toll price would still total an annual increase of more than 316 per cent.

When questioned on the impact of the new toll on residents and commuters already feeling the pinch as a result of the rising cost of living, a spokesperson for Peel Ports said: "The purpose of the works is to improve conditions for all road users in the area.

"The introduction of a new free-flow tolling system will make the bridge easier to use, and significantly reduce congestion and the impact of queueing traffic on air quality.

“As previously signalled, the works will necessitate an increase in the toll charged to those who choose to use the bridge to pass across the Ship Canal.

"The existing 12p rate was first set in 1863, and it has not been raised since then, leaving it out of step with the costs of today.

“The new £1 rate will remain amongst the lowest toll charges in the UK, and 20 per cent of every toll charge paid will go to HMRC as VAT.

“There will be no toll charges in place while the works are being carried out, and a 50 per cent discount will be in place for residents in the relevant local catchment area once the works are complete.

“The works represent a significant investment into better infrastructure and a more sustainable future for the Warburton Toll Bridge and the communities it serves.”