Traffic disruption warning as hundreds set to protest on Tamar Bridge over tolls

By Alison Stephenson, Local Democracy Service

Hundreds of people are set to join a protest march on the Tamar Bridge tomorrow (Saturday July 25) aimed at putting pressure on the government to scrap tolls.

Motorists are being warned to allow extra time for journeys or consider alternative arrangements as the demonstration is likely to cause “significant disruption” on the busy transport route linking Devon and Cornwall across the River Tamar on the first Saturday of the summer holidays.

Participants are being invited to gather at Alexander Square, Saltash at 12.30pm for a 1pm start. South East Cornwall Labour MP Anna Gelderd will give a speech before the march heads off on the south cantilever of the bridge.

Banner adorned HGVs who support the cause will accompany the pedestrian demonstration moving at walking pace across the north cantilever. 

Traffic will be able to move freely on the other sections of the bridge. 

The protest is a repeat of three years ago when more than 300 people took part to express frustration over increasing charges to enter Plymouth from Cornwall via the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry.

Campaigners and MPs are calling for the Tamar crossings to be taken over by the government and out of local authority hands and tolls abolished.

Tolls controversially increased to £3 and £1.50 for Tamar Tag discount users last year due to a financial crisis brought about by a lack of government funding, rising costs and inflation and changing travel habits after covid. 

But a proposed 150 per cent rise in the monthly admin fee for Tamar Tag holders was thrown out last month after committee members said it would be penalising those who had no choice but to use the Tamar crossings to get to work, hospital appointments and other services in Plymouth. 

Spearheading the protest on Saturday is the Tamar Toll Action Group whose chair Scott Slavin said the demonstration would “highlight the level of demand that exists for the government to deliver fundamental change on the way these nationally important crossings are funded”. 

Tamar Crossings recently posted on Facebook that it was working closely with emergency services, partner agencies, and National Highways to help minimise disruption as far as possible and maintain safe access for emergency vehicles throughout the day.

The protest is also taking place on the same day as the Saltash Regatta and the first day of the summer holidays, which is expected to increase traffic in the area significantly. 

The Tamar Toll Action Group said the protest would be over by around 2pm and is encouraging people to arrive by public transport.