OBJECTORS angry over plans to increase the Whitchurch Bridge toll by 20p have been encouraged to voice concerns at a public enquiry to be held next month – despite owners of the bridge saying “it’s just the way it has to be”.

The 1902 structure, a popular route for residents and visitors travelling to and from Oxford, was closed for nine months from October 2014 while repairs costing £6.4million took place.

But the 2014 harsh winter weather saw repairs grind to a halt for three months, resulting in the structure’s owners, The Whitchurch Bridge Company, overspending on their budget by £2million, prompting a proposal to raise the 40p vehicle toll to 60p to cover the cost of the project.

The Whitchurch Bridge Company’s secretary Jeff Weir said: “Our position is this – we very much regret the need to put the bridge toll up but the increase is absolutely necessary.

“We don’t like having to increase tolls but because of the cost of the bridge we have to. I can understand that people won’t like it but that’s just the way it is.”

He added: “If people are unhappy they are welcome to attend the public enquiry to complain about it because this will be a chance for them to really air their concerns and have them listened to because that’s the whole point of it.”

The company submitted their plans to West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire District councils in May 2011 having been told the reconstruction of the Grade II listed bridge would have to be carried out in a manner that retained its key visual characteristics and should preferably involve no demolition works.

West Berkshire Council issued planning permission in March 2012 with South Oxfordshire District Council following suit and approving the project two months later.The bridge’s owners opted for contractor Balfour Beatty to carry out the work.

Mr Weir, who has been company secretary for 10 years, said: “We knew about 10 years ago that the bridge was coming to the end of its operational life so we did a complete reconstruction of the bridge which involved new structure bearing, lifting of the girders and the installation of the piers. Unfortunately for us though, we picked one of the worst winters to carry out the works.”

The bridge owners submitted a toll application to the Secretary of State for Transport on November 5 last year but a 42-day public consultation opening the same month saw 24 objections to the proposal, prompting a public enquiry which will see both objectors and bridge owners put forward their cases to an independent inspector.

The public enquiry will be held on Tuesday, May 19, at The George Hotel in Pangbourne.