Warrington Council considers legal action for Peel Ports

This comes after it was announced that the Secretary of State had granted permission for Peel Ports to increase the toll at Warburton Bridge by 733 per cent.

Residents had been up in arms over the proposed increase, which would see the average commuter charged £10 per working week to cross the bridge, as opposed to the old fare of £1.20 for two crossings every day for five days.

The toll booth is located on the other side of the bridge (Image: Maps)

Broadly speaking, the increase will see those who use the bridge twice per working day pay around £500 per year, rather than nearly £60 currently - an increase of over 730 per cent.

The decision to make the increase was lambasted by Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North, as well as being subject to damning criticism from Warrington South MP Andy Carter.

Mr Carter explained in his criticism that the local authority - in this case, Warrington Borough Council - had the ability to legally challenge the decision.

At the time of the decision, the council announced it was 'dismayed' at the decision to increase the toll price.

When the toll increase was first floated as an idea residents were up in arms (Image: Newsquest)

When asked by the Warrington Guardian if it would be taking legal action over the decision, a council spokesperson said: "We are currently reviewing the recent decision made by the Secretary of State for Transport to approve the application made by the Manchester Ship Canal Company for an order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 for the Rixton and Warburton Toll Bridge. 

"Once the review has been completed we will confirm our position on whether or not to challenge the decision.”

The Manchester Ship Canal Company is owned by Peel Ports, a subsidiary of the company which also owns Fiddler's Ferry.