Increases to Mersey Tunnel fares and transport levies are “necessary measures” to avoid cuts to services in the Liverpool City Region, according to the Metro Mayor.
Steve Rotheram defended the proposed move as he presented a budget report to members of the Combined Authority.
As previously reported in the ECHO, Liverpool City Region's Combined Authority (CA) is expected to approve its budget for 2022/23 tomorrow (Friday), which will include fares through the Birkenhead and Wallasey tunnels increasing by 20p to £2.
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Tolls for Liverpool City Region residents using the fast tag or T-flow prepayment systems will increase from £1 to £1.20.
Discussing the move at the CA’s overview and scrutiny committee, Mr Rotheram said the increase in fares represented the first of its kind for five years and was in response to budget pressures and increased maintenance costs.
Mr Rotheram added the tunnels are “major structural assets” for the CA and it was essential they were preserved for future generations.
John Fogarty, CA executive director of corporate services, said it was “not possible or sustainable” to maintain the current fare levels at the tunnels.
Former Labour MP Mr Rotheram said he had taken “difficult decisions” to balance the CA budget but the raises in tunnel tolls and a two per cent increase to the transport levy represented the “tip of the iceberg” in ensuring future sustainability.
The Covid-19 pandemic had “wreaked havoc” on the body’s financial forecasts but financial pressures would still have needed to be addressed regardless, Mr Rotheram said.
On raising the transport levy, Mr Rotheram said it was necessary if the CA was to create a “modal shift” and move towards an London-style transport network, adding that future investment was needed to further such a target.
He added the decision to freeze the Mayoral precept at £19 per year for a Band D property and £12.67 per year for a Band A property would avoid putting further pressure on the CA’s 1.6 million residents.
Mr Rotheram said all alternative options had been considered, including service cuts, which he described as “unpalatable.”
The Metro Mayor said work was still required to better communicate the work of the CA but argued residents across the six boroughs would prefer decisions being taken at a local level than in Westminster or Whitehall.
The draft budget will go before members of the CA tomorrow (Friday).
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