Anna Gelderd’s Tamar tolls petition can only be signed in person

If you want to add your name to the latest push on Tamar tolls, you will need a pen. And a South East Cornwall address.

Anna Gelderd, the MP for South East Cornwall, has launched a petition on the future of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry. It asks the Government for three things: cheaper tolls for local people in the short term, recognition of the two crossings as critical national infrastructure, and a long-term plan to remove tolls altogether.

It cannot be signed online.

Who can sign the Tamar crossings petition

Signatures have to be collected in person, and the petition is only open to residents of South East Cornwall.

People will be able to sign at venues across the area in the coming weeks. No venues or dates have been announced yet, and Anna says more information will be shared across her social media channels.

Once the petition closes, she will present it in the House of Commons Chamber.

What Anna Gelderd is asking for

The petition describes the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry as essential in connecting South East Cornwall with Plymouth and the wider region, used by thousands of local people and businesses every day.

Anna said: “The Tamar crossings truly are a lifeline for our communities and local economy. Every day, people rely on them to get to work and school, access healthcare, and visit loved ones. They also play an essential role in our regional economy and national connectivity.”

In her view, the cost has fallen on the wrong people.

“For too long, people in South East Cornwall have faced a financial burden because of these tolls,” she said. “It puts an additional barrier on local residents and businesses getting where they need to go and means local people are paying for crucial national infrastructure.

“That is not a fair deal for our communities. This petition calls for cheaper tolls for local people, the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry to be recognised as critical national infrastructure and for a long-term solution that removes the need for tolls altogether.”

Next stop, the Commons

Anna describes the petition as part of her continued work on the issue.

“This is a campaign for South East Cornwall, and I want to take our community’s voice directly to Parliament,” she said.

📷Anna Gelderd in front of the Tamar Bridge