MOTORISTS are campaigning to remove tolls on a River Thames bridge between Whitchurch and Pangbourne where the fare has recently doubled.
As of yesterday (Monday, October 26), drivers crossing the privately-owned Whitchurch Toll Bridge began paying a 40 pence toll, although concessionary fares have remained the same.
More than 30 protestors, including local residents, gathered at the bridge yesterday to show their anger at the increased charge and to urge drivers to sign a petition calling for Oxfordshire County Council to incorporate the bridge into its highways network and remove the tolls.
The 20 pence increase follows a public inquiry in June, which recently ruled in favour of The Whitchurch Bridge Company, owners of the Grade II listed bridge, which was built in 1902.
The company said it needed extra cash to raise £3.2m to help pay for a replacement bridge.
However, inspector Martyn Heyes, who recommended approval of the charge increase in a report to the Secretary of State for Transport, acknowledged an “illogical” situation of a company becoming more valuable as its principal asset nears the end of its life and when the cost of replacement is escalating.
At Monday’s hour-long protest police were called to the scene following concerns over traffic delays and reports of children walking around unsupervised.
Despite this, more than 200 signatures were obtained by Monday afternoon and Whitchurch resident and website coordinator for action group Tollfreeze, Phil Lewis, said he was “overwhelmed” by the support.
“We are all behind the idea of getting rid of the tolls,” he said.
“It was a good turnout for the protest and we had a good cross section of people.”
The campaign has also been backed by Reading West MP, Martin Salter (Lab), and the MP for Henley, John Howell (Con).
Mr Salter said: “It is time that charging local people to cross the River Thames was finally stopped and the last two toll bridges were incorporated into the highways network.
“It is an anachronistic practice that is having a considerable financial impact on residents either side of Whitchurch Bridge.
“It is monstrously unfair that whilst most people can cross the River Thames for free the residents of Pangbourne and Whitchurch are having to pay anything up to £10 a week for the privilege.
“I hope Oxfordshire County Council will now take steps to end this absurd and unreasonable situation once and for all.”
Mr Salter has written to the chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council, Joanna Simons, about his concerns.
Meanwhile, secretary for The Whitchurch Bridge Company, Geoff Weir, said he was confident the toll would stay in force.
“The process has been completed,” he said.
“The inspector rejected all the objectors’ submissions at the inquiry and so it will stay in.”