Public meeting to be held on Tamar Tag hike

FURY OVER 150% INCREASE IN ADMIN CHARGE SPARKS SCRUTINY MEETING

- By LEE TREWHELA Local Democracy Reporter

NEGATIVE public reaction to a proposal to increase administration charges for those using the Tamar Tag system to cross the Tamar Bridge and use the Torpoint Ferry has forced an extraordinary meeting.

The unpopular increase will now be debated by the Tamar Bridge & Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee (TBTFJC) at a meeting at Plymouth City Council, which has been provisionally set for January 12. The meeting will be open to the public.

MPs and councillors of all political colours last week condemned the proposed 150% increase in the monthly admin charge for people in Cornwall and Devon who regularly cross the Tamar river for work, education and Derriford hospital appointments.

The increase in the charge for users of the Tamar Crossings TAG discount scheme was discussed seven months after toll fees went up to plug a hole in the finances.

Members of TBTFJC - five councillors from each of the two joint authorities - voted in favour of the standing charge for having a TAG account rising from 80p a month to £2 at their meeting on Friday, December 5.