Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee - 12 January 2026

**Public questions and responses**

The Committee received twelve public queries, three of which were read out on behalf of absent submitters. Mrs Bell questioned the size of the proposed increase to the Tamar Bridge tag fee, arguing it was “extortionate” for pensioners who make frequent trips to Derriford Hospital and to Plymouth. Officers explained that the Crossings are self‑financing, that reserves had been depleted by a delayed toll increase the year, and that National Insurance rises added roughly £100 000 to annual costs. They noted that the increase, while described as 150 %, equates to £1.20 per month – about 40 % of a full‑price crossing – and that the tag remains cheaper than cash payment for regular users. Miss Wilton’s question about account cancellations and resulting booth congestion was answered by highlighting the 50 % discount for regular users and stating that any loss of accounts would likely involve infrequent users, with no anticipated operational impact. Mr Franklin asked why new applicants are not charged an upfront set‑up fee; officers replied that a one‑off charge would not cover ongoing account‑maintenance costs such as the £85 000 annual bank‑processing expense, and that the current monthly fee structure was retained after previous consideration of alternative models.

**Budget review and financial constraints**

The Committee examined the Updated 2026‑27 Revenue Budget and Capital Programme, focusing on income from tag account fees. Officers clarified that the public‑consultation scope would be determined by Members, with no decisions made until its completion. The £10 000 cost of the consultation would be funded from existing budget savings, and maintaining the tag administrative fee at £0.80 per month would cost Tamar Crossings roughly £50 000 monthly. As a Parent Authority, Tamar Crossings must deliver a balanced budget without external funding; the Medium‑Term Financial Plans contain no provision for additional subsidies. Officers also highlighted the financial pressure from recent employer National Insurance increases, which have reduced available resources.

**Visitor Centre and broader service considerations**

The estimated net annual cost of operating the Visitor Centre was presented at about £156 000, with additional liabilities including potential redundancy payments and the repayment of a Heritage Lottery Grant. Officers expressed a desire for the Centre to become cost‑neutral in the future. Members were reminded of the high level of budget transparency, with external auditors reviewing both proposed and implemented figures. The discussion emphasized that cost‑saving measures should be prioritized before any income‑raising actions are pursued.

**Consultation, transparency, and future steps**

Members broadly supported a public consultation as a means to assess options and gather community input, stressing that effectiveness should take precedence over speed. There was also concern that MPs had publicly advocated for the abolition of tolls without sufficient parliamentary pressure or lobbying. The Torpoint Ferry was identified as an essential crossing that should be considered alongside the Tamar Bridge in any future policy deliberations. Finally, Members requested that the Joint Chair contribute to shaping the consultation content and that a workshop be organised for Members to discuss the proposed approach in greater detail. No final decision on the fee increase or other measures was recorded; the Committee agreed to proceed with the consultation and to continue monitoring the financial position of Tamar Crossings.