Tamar Bridge at 65: Saltash and Torpoint MP launches toll petition

It has carried commuters, school traffic and hospital patients across the river for 65 years. Now the Tamar Bridge’s anniversary is being used to make a case about its future, and that case concerns the tolls.

Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, has launched a Parliamentary Petition calling for a fair and sustainable future for the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry. It asks for cheaper tolls for local people in the short term and for the tolls to be removed in the long term.

“Hard to imagine” life without the bridge

Speaking ahead of the anniversary, Anna said the bridge has become part of everyday life for many people in South East Cornwall.

“It’s hard to imagine a time when the Tamar Bridge wasn’t a part of daily life for many of us in South East Cornwall, whether as part of our commutes to work and school, or when accessing essential appointments,” she said.

“The bridge and ferry are fixtures of our local landscape around Saltash and Torpoint, and the crossings are another signifier that our area is the gateway to Cornwall.”

What the petition asks for

Anna said the anniversary was also a reminder of the need for action.

According to the MP, the petition will let her present a set of demands on behalf of residents. These are:

• a fair and sustainable future for the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry
• recognition of the crossings as critical national infrastructure
• cheaper tolls for local people in the short term
• the long-term removal of the tolls

She said people across South East Cornwall have made their views on the tolls clear over many years, and that she shares their frustration.

“The costs add up, and that’s less money in people’s pockets to spend on daily essentials,” she said.

Why she says now is the time

Anna argues there is a real opportunity to make the case at the moment. She pointed to what she described as a new Prime Minister focused on growth in every postcode, and to significant investment in defence infrastructure at Devonport and beyond.

In her view, that gives the crossings a chance to be recognised by the government as the vital infrastructure they are.

“Now we have a real opportunity to make our case, and to make it together,” she said.

Where to sign the Tamar crossings petition

The petition can’t be signed online. It has to be signed in person, and only by residents of South East Cornwall.

Copies are available at:

Saltash

• Saltash Guildhall
• Saltash Library
• Saltash Red Bus shop front

Torpoint

• Torpoint Post Office
• Kernow Cars Torpoint

Liskeard

• Liskeard Town Hall
• Liskeard Library

Lostwithiel

• Lostwithiel Community Centre
• Penhaligons Shop Lostwithiel

“If you live in South East Cornwall, I hope you’ll join me,” Anna said.