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03
Sept 2024
Aldwark Bridge toll charge could more than double
The cost of crossing a toll bridge near Boroughbridge looks set to more than double.
Aldwark Bridge is a grade two-listed toll bridge which crosses the River Ure, between Boroughbridge and Easingwold.
The privately owned crossing currently charges car drivers 40p per crossing, which prevents a 25-mile round trip.
The bridge reopened in February after a £1m refurbishment. The Westwick Group, a Derbyshire-based company which bought the bridge in 2020, told the Stray Ferret at the time it was considering increasing the toll charge.
In July the owners of the bridge formerly applied to increase the tolls. The deadline for objections was last week.
If approved, the cost for cars would be increased from 40p to £1 per crossing, with a gradual increase to £1.40 over a 10-year period. Vehicles with trailers or an operating weight of at least 3,500 kilogrmmes would be charged £2, rising to £2.60 over 10 years. Motorbike crossings would remain free.
The bridge provides a valuable crossing for nearby villages and falls on the route to local schools such as Great Ouseburn Primary School.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, the Conservative MP for Wetherby and Easingwold, has written to parish councils of residents likely to be affected by the proposed increase of the toll fee and has encouraged constituents to share their views on the proposal.
In the letter he said:
I appreciate that this increase will hit local residents financially, particularly those who traverse the bridge regularly for their children’s schooling, work, etc.
I know, however, that the bridge was closed for a prolonged period of time earlier this year when the new owner was undertaking some work to it. So, before approaching the Secretary of State, I would like to gauge the views of local residents.
The cost of crossing the toll bridge has not risen since 2005. It did so then following an application by the then-owners and a local inquiry.
Tolls were increased to the current amount, 40 pence per crossing.
Since 2005 there have been attempts to increase the toll. But an attempt in 2020 proved unsuccessful when the Secretary of State decided the application for a Toll Revision Order should not be approved because it did not meet the statutory conditions.
Alex Bell, owner of Aldwark Toll Bridge, told the Stray Ferret the proposed increase would help to meet the running costs of the bridge.
Mr Bell said:
At the moment the toll is 40p but the running costs are £1 a car, which is what we have proposed. The increase will help us meet running costs, provide annual and long-term maintenance while providing a reasonable return.
He added that the application to increase the toll was planned to follow the extended works.
He said:
We have spent money maintaining it and the toll hasn’t been increased for the past 19 years. It should have been increased before now. In the proposal we have linked the toll fees to inflation to keep the bridge open.
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