MERSEY GATEWAY AND JUBILEE BRIDGE

That this House notes that, prior to the 2015 General Election, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, gave an undertaking that residents in Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington would enjoy toll-free access to the crossings in line with the arrangements made for residents of Halton; further notes that whilst acknowledging that such a concession would have been welcome, it would have been legally questionable and unfair had such a policy been implemented, unless people similarly affected by tolls from Merseyside had also been included; notes with regret that in a Government Statement on 24 January 2017, it was announced that free tolling would not be extended beyond Halton Borough Council; expresses strong concern that this represents bad faith on the part of the Government in that it reneged on a commitment made by the former Chancellor of the Exchequer; notes that those from Cheshire West and Chester, Merseyside and Warrington who have to use the crossings to access their employment face a tax on their travel costs of over £900 per year; expresses further concern that the tolls would, in addition, discriminate against those who need to use the crossings for educational purposes or medical appointments; and calls on the Government to introduce a free tolling scheme at no cost to the local authorities concerned, including Halton, residents in Cheshire West and Chester, Merseyside and Warrington for those who need to use the crossings for work, education or to attend medical appointments as a matter of urgency.