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TUNNEL WALK PROTEST
On Sunday (15th June 2008) there was a "sponsored" walk through the Birkenhead Tunnel which was closed to traffic. We held a protest in William Brown Street outside the Liverpool entrance. We started collecting signatures for a new petition, and some of our more intrepid members walked through. The protest was covered in the Politics Show and on the local tv news on BBC and Granada, and on local radio including the Pete Price show on Radio City. |
Some of the recent stories about our toll proposals
2008 Toll Proposals from MTUA (page updated 13 June 2008)
2008 Toll Increase
MTUA are ordinary users of the Mersey Tunnels that link Liverpool with the Wirral peninsula.
We campaign against tolls and toll increases, and take an interest in other issues that have an adverse effect on users of the Tunnels.
We are also opposed to the plan to toll both the proposed bridge and the existing bridge over the Mersey at Runcorn.
We are part of:- NATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST TOLLS
There have been some major anti toll successes:-
Tolls on the Skye bridge, after a 9 year fight, were removed on 21st December 2004. A proposal for tolls in Edinburgh was defeated, three to one, by a poll in February 2005. On the 31st March 2006 the tolls were removed from the Erskine bridge over the Clyde. The proposed new M6 Toll Expressway was abandoned in July 2006. From the 11th February 2008, Scotland's last two tolls (Forth and Tay) were removed.
We had a long bitter campaign against the Mersey Tunnels Bill (Brief summary of the Bill) which made it easier to increase tolls and use toll money elsewhere. We tried to make Parliament aware of what this Bill was about and were hoping that they would not allow it to become law. But it was passed in the Commons on 29th October 2003. It then went to the Lords and we petitioned the Lords Committee, but the Lords passed it on 28th June 2004, by 75 votes to 65.
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At the start of 2006, we submitted to Merseytravel a set of proposals that would benefit both users and the local economy in Liverpool and on the Wirral: "Mersey Tunnels - Another Way Forward":-
a) No Toll Increases.
b) One way tolls.
c) Sundays free.
d) No tolls for Buses.
Proposals were also sent to MPs and councillors. There was almost no support from the politicians, and the proposals were rejected by Merseytravel at a secret meeting. One consolation was that they abandoned a planned toll increase that was due in April 2006 (though they did increase tolls for some HGVs). | |
Previous Proposals
In Autumn 2004, we had made a similar set of proposals - "A New Way Forward For Tunnels"
Those proposals were backed by MPs including Frank Field, Stephen Hesford and Bob Wareing, by the Leader of Liverpool City Council, and by Lords with a local connection including Lord Alton of Liverpool, Lord Chan of Oxton and Lord Hunt of Wirral.
They were also backed by the AA Motoring Trust, the Forum of Private Business, the RAC Foundation and the Road Haulage Association.
The support made no difference as Merseytravel rejected all the proposals and instead voted for a Tunnel Tolls Increase which came into effect on Sunday 3 April 2005. They also planned another increase from April 2006.
TUNNELS & TOLLS INFORMATION
There are two tunnels between Liverpool and the Wirral -
Birkenhead tunnel is one tube of 4 lanes. For some years it has had limits that effectively ban lorries - gross weight (3.5 tonnes), height (3.9 metres), width (2.7 metres) and length (12 metres).
Wallasey tunnel is two tubes each of two lanes. The main limits for the Wallasey tunnel are gross weight (38 tonnes) and height (5.0 metres), width (2.9 metres) and length including load (12.2 metres without trailer and 18.3 metres with). They frequently close one of the Wallasey tubes, and have two way working in the open tube.
"Dock" branches - the Birkenhead Tunnel was built with two branches from the main tunnel.
One branch is on the Liverpool side and has been one way since about 1970. It as usually referred to as "the Dock exit".
It is only an exit for traffic travelling towards Liverpool. You have to be in the left hand lane going through the main part of the tunnel in order to use the Dock exit.
The Dock exit branch is quite short and comes out at traffic lights at the junction of Chapel Street and the Strand (i.e. by St Nicholas's church and the Liver Buildings).
(There is another branch on the Birkenhead side. It was initially two way, then it was restricted to traffic going from Birkenhead to Liverpool and then it was closed about 1970.)
Height restriction - there is a restriction on all vehicles at most toll booths. Tall sided vehicles (and trailers), generally have to use booths to the left.
Weight restriction on the Bidston viaduct - The main approach to the Wallasey tunnel from the Wirral is along the M53. Just before the tunnel, at Junction 1 of the M53, there was a weight restriction and diversion for a year. The diversion was lifted in April 2006, and HGVs can now use the viaduct, but are restricted to the inside lane.
Tunnels Byelaws (pdf file). (Merseytravel don't use the common names, they call the Birkenhead tunnel - "Queensway", and the Wallasey tunnel - "Kingsway".)
If you have a large vehicle or dangerous or unusual load, you can check the byelaws and ring Mersey Tunnels on 0151 236 8602.
Learner drivers may use the Tunnels, but obviously you should not drive through unless you are competent and accompanied.
Closures - One of the two tubes of the Wallasey tunnel is usually closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays between about 9.45 AM and 3.30 PM. This usually causes congestion which continues into the PM peak. There are also irregular overnight closures of part of the Birkenhead Tunnel.
TOLLS from 6 April 2008
Motorbikes without a sidecar don't pay (there is a space without a toll barrier, on the left hand end of the line
of toll booths).
Cars = £1.40 each way.
Mini buses (seating capacity of less than 9 persons)= £1.40 each way.
Cars with a trailer = £2.80 each way.
Buses (Vehicles with seating capacity for 9 or more persons) with 2 axles =£ 2.80 each way.
Buses (Vehicles with seating capacity for 9 or more persons) with more than 2 axles = £ 4.20 each way.
Light Goods Vehicles (no more than 3.5 tonnes gross weight) and no trailer = £1.40 each way.
Light Goods Vehicles (no more than 3.5 tonnes gross weight) and with a trailer = £2.80 each way.
Heavy Goods Vehicles (more than 3.5 tonnes gross weight) with 2 axles = £2.80 each way.
Heavy Goods Vehicles (more than 3.5 tonnes gross weight) with 3 axles = £4.20 each way.
Heavy Goods Vehicles (more than 3.5 tonnes gross weight) with 4 or more axles = £5.60 each way.
There are no Toll barriers on the Liverpool side. You pay on the Wirral side on entry or exit. Most drivers pay by throwing the toll into the collection basket. If you have not got the correct money, there are a few manned booths, but they only give you change, you still have to throw the money in your self.
The Tunnels do not give receipts for tolls (and in any case there is no VAT).
There is another system used by some drivers called "Fast Tag". You have to pay monthly in advance by standing order. You are given a transponder (tag) that opens the toll barrier and reduces your pre paid credit. The transponder (tag) is free, but if it is lost or stolen there is a £30 charge from Merseytravel.
Users of the Fast Tag system were at last able to get a breakdown of individual journeys starting from around the end of 2005.
There are concessions available for Disabled Drivers. They have to be applied for in advance and the driver is issued with a "Fast Tag" which is credited for so many journeys in the year. (For some reason the driver has to use a manned toll booth, rather than an automatic one.) The number of journeys allowed is higher for residents of Merseyside.
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