Controversial Warburton toll bridge increase has been postponed. The aim being to give local residents more time to register for concessions before charges begin.
The toll for crossing the Manchester Ship Canal on the Warburton Bridge, linking Trafford in Greater Manchester with Cheshire, will rise from 12p to £1.
The previous toll had been set under an Act of Parliament in 1863, and crossings were recently free during engineering works. The higher charge was originally scheduled to take effect on 25 September but has now been delayed after some residents experienced “limited access” to the online payment portal, a Manchester Ship Canal Company spokesperson said.
Residents in Risley, Lymm and Partington will be entitled to a 50% discount, and there will be a £2 daily cap.
Payments must be made by midnight on the day following the crossing, with fines starting at £30 for non-payment, rising to £100 after 28 days.
The toll increase has been widely contested. Councils, MPs and local people raised objections during a public inquiry in 2022. Warrington Council described the decision as “dismay[ing]” and highlighted concerns over the financial impact on residents who rely on the bridge.
Peel Ports, which owns the Manchester Ship Canal Company, said the rise was necessary to fund modernisation works.
A company spokesman explained: “The commencement date for toll charging has been postponed. We recognise that, due to time constraints and limited access to the online portal, some residents and other individuals eligible for concessions have not yet been able to register and submit the necessary documentation.
“No charges are currently being applied, so you can continue to use the bridge free of charge for now, and we will give notice as to when charges will begin.”
The delay allows extra time for all eligible users, including Blue Badge holders and local residents, to register for concessions. The Peel Ports spokesman added: “This short delay means no one will miss out on the concessions they are entitled to.”
The bridge itself has a long history, having been commissioned under the Rixton and Warburton Bridge Act of 1863. It remains one of the few pre-motorway toll bridges in the UK and the only one in Greater Manchester.
Section 48 of the Act makes the toll payable for “passing over, along or upon the Bridge and Roads, or any of them, or any part thereof,” and the modernised bridge, now over the Manchester Ship Canal, falls within the scope of these charges.
The Rixton and Warburton Bridge Order 2024 permits Peel Ports to increase the toll, install an automatic collection system, and levy future rises at 1% below the Consumer Price Index.
While some postcodes will benefit from discounts, several areas highlighted by councils for relief were not included, raising concerns about the burden on local residents.
Cllr Hans Mundry, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “As a council we are dismayed that the judgement has not been ruled in our favour. Objection to the toll bridge price hike is a matter that has cross-party consensus and overwhelming support from our residents and businesses.
“The inspector acknowledged that increasing the toll would cause considerable financial pressure for people who are reliant on the bridge. It is a great shame that despite this the ultimate judgement is to proceed with plans to increase charges.”
While the council does not dispute the benefits of upgrading the bridge and its approach roads, including the automated tolling system, it challenges who will ultimately bear the costs.
Residents can continue to use the bridge free of charge for the moment, while the company provides additional time to register for discounts and exemptions.
The Warburton toll bridge increase remains a contentious local issue, balancing the need for modern infrastructure with the financial impact on those who rely on this historic crossing.
