Published: Thursday, 5th March, 2009 8:00am

Transport secretary orders public inquiry over toll bridge fees

by Annabel Williams

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A PUBLIC inquiry into the proposed 100% increase in tolls over Whitchurch Bridge has been welcomed as "democracy taking its course".

Users of the Thames bridge - connecting Whitchurch and Pangbourne - set up campaign group TollFreeze, after the Whitchurch Bridge Company's proposed to raise the fee for cars from 20p to 40p.

Now transport secretary Geoff Hoon has ordered a public inquiry into the move, which the bridge company says is essential to pay for rebuilding the Thames crossing. No date has been set.

TollFreeze spokesman Colin Cooper said: "The Whitchurch Bridge Company has had more than 100 years to plan and put aside funds to rebuild the bridge when it reaches its design-life.

"The fact that they have had to effectively double the tolls twice recently, in 1995 and 2005, and now seek to do so again shows that something is seriously wrong."

MPs on both sides of the bridge have also been campaigning hard.

Henley MP John Howell said: "I am glad that we are going to get a public inquiry, which is what we asked for.

"But we now need to make sure that the terms of the inquiry are not just about this particular proposed increase, but about the way the bridge is funded as a whole."

Reading West MP Martin Salter said: "We now have a great chance to have the unacceptable toll hike thrown out, although much will depend on what are the exact terms of reference of the public inquiry.

"My job is to make sure that this inquiry is able to consider the impact on people having to cross Whitchurch Bridge four times a day."

Geoff Weir, bridge company secretary, said: "We accept it's got to happen. We understand the concern from some of the local users and we are pleased the public enquiry will give us the chance to set out the true facts behind our application.

"We can hope we can clear up some of the misconceptions about the condition of the bridge and why it needs to be rebuilt, about local discounts and the dividend payments to company shareholders.

"It's democracy taking its course."