Mersey Gateway, not popular?
Discussion
Warrington Guardian
1,712,934 'vehicles' a month (assume they mean crossings). Maybe above average because of sightseers, may be below average because people are prepared to inconvenience themselves in the short term to avoid the toll. Assume average to give 20555208 crossings / year. Some are free locals / motorbikes, some are more expensive vans / minibuses. Say average = £1.50 / crossing, takings = £30.8m / year. So it will take 60 years to cover the costs until the bridge is free.
But the recovery period is stated as lasting until 2044, only 27 years.
Oh dear!
Warrington Guardian said:
MORE than 35,000 penalty charges have been issued to drivers who failed to pay tolls on the Mersey Gateway, we can reveal.
Latest statistics show that 1,712,934 vehicles have crossed the new bridge since it opened four weeks ago.
There was a £600m project cost. The amount to be recovered to cover operation, maintenance and financing is £1860m.Latest statistics show that 1,712,934 vehicles have crossed the new bridge since it opened four weeks ago.
1,712,934 'vehicles' a month (assume they mean crossings). Maybe above average because of sightseers, may be below average because people are prepared to inconvenience themselves in the short term to avoid the toll. Assume average to give 20555208 crossings / year. Some are free locals / motorbikes, some are more expensive vans / minibuses. Say average = £1.50 / crossing, takings = £30.8m / year. So it will take 60 years to cover the costs until the bridge is free.
But the recovery period is stated as lasting until 2044, only 27 years.
Oh dear!
speedking31 said:
Warrington Guardian
1,712,934 'vehicles' a month (assume they mean crossings). Maybe above average because of sightseers, may be below average because people are prepared to inconvenience themselves in the short term to avoid the toll. Assume average to give 20555208 crossings / year. Some are free locals / motorbikes, some are more expensive vans / minibuses. Say average = £1.50 / crossing, takings = £30.8m / year. So it will take 60 years to cover the costs until the bridge is free.
But the recovery period is stated as lasting until 2044, only 27 years.
Oh dear!
Being relatively local, no, it's not popular to those outside the free crossing catchment area. However, the alternative crossing options (queue through Warrington or the M6 over Thelwall and then the M62 or pay the Mersey Tunnel toll) aren't particularly appealing either. Government shafting springs to mind with the toll really, especially closing the other bridge for repairs immediately after the new one opened and tolling that too when it re-opens I believe.Warrington Guardian said:
MORE than 35,000 penalty charges have been issued to drivers who failed to pay tolls on the Mersey Gateway, we can reveal.
Latest statistics show that 1,712,934 vehicles have crossed the new bridge since it opened four weeks ago.
There was a £600m project cost. The amount to be recovered to cover operation, maintenance and financing is £1860m.Latest statistics show that 1,712,934 vehicles have crossed the new bridge since it opened four weeks ago.
1,712,934 'vehicles' a month (assume they mean crossings). Maybe above average because of sightseers, may be below average because people are prepared to inconvenience themselves in the short term to avoid the toll. Assume average to give 20555208 crossings / year. Some are free locals / motorbikes, some are more expensive vans / minibuses. Say average = £1.50 / crossing, takings = £30.8m / year. So it will take 60 years to cover the costs until the bridge is free.
But the recovery period is stated as lasting until 2044, only 27 years.
Oh dear!
towser44 said:
Being relatively local, no, it's not popular to those outside the free crossing catchment area. However, the alternative crossing options (queue through Warrington or the M6 over Thelwall and then the M62 or pay the Mersey Tunnel toll) aren't particularly appealing either. Government shafting springs to mind with the toll really, especially closing the other bridge for repairs immediately after the new one opened and tolling that too when it re-opens I believe.
I think it's the catchment area issue that is the problem to be fair! Went up to visit a friend a few weeks ago, and because she lives in Halton BC it's £10 a year for her, and being so much quicker than the old bridge she loves it!
(Had a quick trip over in her car - it's certainly a huge improvement).Maybe they should have offered monthly or annual passes at less than £2 a trip for those living in Councils bordering Halton?
And yes, I believe the old one will be tolled when it reopens - otherwise nobody would use the new one!
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