Submission into the extra charges for the Tamar Tag

TAMAR BRIDGE AND TORPOINT FERRY

Dear Mr Boother, Thank you for giving me the chance of making a submission regarding the issue of raising payments paid by those with the Tamar Tag system. I do hold a tag as well as being a local councillor which represents a division in an area that will be affected by the surcharge. Having spoken to many people over the issue of raising this fee i would like to submit this to the committee.

The charge will affect those with jobs that need to use the Tamar Bridge especially those who cross from South East Cornwall to work in the areas economic centre Plymouth. It will also add to the costs of local business and thus reduce the benefits of having an employment centre West of the bridge. Currently the wages of the South East of Cornwall of those people who live and work in the area are the lowest in Cornwall at 14k which is 2k lower then all other areas of Cornwall. Plus the average of the wages of all working groups only raises with the impact of those working in Plymouthto 3rd out of 6 areas of Cornwall. So by increasing the charges to locals working in Plymouth will have a great impact to them and the local economy.

Set this against the 60m that is due to be spent on duelling the A30 it may well drive economic growth North as there will be no toll on this road for both business or tourists. There is a lot of talk about how the recession has hit the number of crossings yet to do what is proposed will hit it even further. To put up the charges will have a duel impact reduce the number of crossings and affect the economy. The main impact on the Bridge would be for the A38 to be duelled from Saltash to Bodmin to provide the economic growth to bring more business and tourists to the South and South East of Cornwall.

My major worry is that the councillors for Plymouth see the bridge of a lost opportunity for business and economic growth as what stays East of the Bridge helps them. The residents of my area are not happy with the proposal

Regards

Armand Toms cc
Looe East and St Martins