Humber Bridge The Facts and a History Lesson for Mr Let’s Not Get Political

I’ve seen several tweets from the publicity seeking Tory South Bank MP on the Humber Bridge Tolls over the last couple of days and it’s time to set the record straight.

During my time as Leader of North Lincolnshire Council nobody can say I didn’t campaign long and hard, cross party and cross-bank on the Humber Bridge Tolls. I led a cross party delegation through the doors of Downing Street on the issue and pressured the Labour Government to take action.
I’ve seen talk of how that Government didn’t take action – not true. Sadiq Khan at the time the then Transport Minister took a momentous decision to go against a Public Inspector and refuse an increase to the toll. At the same time recognising the problems on the Humber Bridge Board, he gave them money to assist.

When the announcement was made a few months ago of a further breakthrough in the campaign and the intention to cut tolls to £1.50, I was delighted. At the same time I was very surprised to find out through the press. On speaking to Leaders of other Humber authorities it became obvious they too were in the dark. Surprising given the cross party, cross-bank working that had taken place to that point. I can only assume the intention of keeping the announcement a surprise was to gain political capital out of what until then had been a non-political, cross party issue. As I said at the time, the devil is always in the detail.

Despite all it’s talk of localism, the Tory Government seemed determined that an equal split of the liability for the Bridge across the Humber is not only fair but also a done deal. I received a letter from the Transport Secretary Justine Greening MP. In it she says,” the solution to the Humber’s problem laid within the Humber”. Given that the Leaders of the Humber councils appeared in the dark over this agreement, I would question the timing of the announcement.

Had I still been Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, I would have insisted that no announcements were made until the share of liability had been agreed. It’s said that I had previously agreed to an equal split of the debt; let me be clear about this, not only is that wide of the mark, it’s an outright lie. I challenge anybody to find any agreement from me on this.

I’ve always held the belief that the liability should be shared based on the population of the Humber. A view also held in North East Lincolnshire not just by the controlling Labour Group but also the opposition Conservatives. They consulted on the issue taking it to full council and securing cross-party support on that stance. We in North Lincs were never given that voice.

However, it seems the solution is at hand. Hull City Council have offered to take 100% of the liability and crucially still provide seats on the Bridge Board to all of the Humber Councils. Unlike the Tory MPs tweets on the issue, this is not a take over bid.

Hull to taking on 100% of the liability does seem strange at first but let’s look at it objectively. At the moment Hull residents are liable for 98% of £320m. Taking on 100% of the liability on £180m marks a better deal for Hull residents. It also removes liability for residents in North Lincolnshire and the East Riding. At the same time it provides seats on the board for all including North East Lincolnshire Council.

So, Hull, East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire residents win. At the same time central Government receives it’s guarantee and the toll is reduced to £1.50.

That offer is on the table from Hull, so why the delay? Why a continued negotiation over council’s taking a third of the liability? I don’t get it.
I say to Mr Let’s Not Get Political Percy, stop the politicking and the excuses and do what you said you would do – reduce the toll to £1.50.