Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee - 25 September 2026

The Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee met on [date not specified in minutes], approving the minutes of the previous meeting and receiving three public questions. A question from Mr Slavin, read by Mrs Carter, challenged whether the committee's "social & economic impact assessment" sufficiently assessed toll impacts, and asked for a dedicated Tolls Impact Assessment. Officers responded that the existing report provided adequate data for capital investment decisions and that no further report was planned. In a supplementary question, Mrs Carter asked whether the committee remained committed to toll abolition or had shifted to supporting cheaper tolls for locals. The Joint Chairman (Cornwall) stated that any available data could be shared, though analysis required significant resources, and clarified that the committee's long-term aim remained toll-free crossings while keeping tolls as low as possible in the interim.

Councillor Cador raised concerns about a recent four-hour HGV breakdown on the Tamar Bridge, questioning whether coned-off areas could be used to ease traffic flow during such incidents. Officers noted that the bridge is a choke point, that police examination was required, and that implementing coned areas takes time. Regarding queues caused by A38 turnoff closures at St Budeaux, officers advised that opening the bus lane to general traffic falls under National Highways' jurisdiction, not Tamar Crossings.

The committee discussed the Chief Officer’s Quarterly Report, which included updates on a Channel 4 documentary and a live fire drill for electric vehicle incidents. Debate arose over funding the Visitor Centre from toll revenues; officers stated that closing it would require repaying a significant grant and that only £0.02 per toll supports the centre. A workshop in October 2026 will explore Open Road Tolling, which could bring long-term efficiency savings. Members also expressed concern about the lack of toilet facilities at ferry queues, noting negative impacts on public health and local residents, and suggested alternative funding from parent authorities if reserves were insufficient.

The committee considered the Internal Audit Report for 2025/26, which identified an area for improvement. Officers expressed regret but noted no significant concerns, and an action plan was agreed. The committee resolved to note the audit outcome and take assurance from the management response. The Statement of Accounts and Audit Findings for 2025/26 were also endorsed, with officers confirming no evidence of misstatements and that action plans would be implemented. No funding from parent authorities has been allocated in their Medium Term Financial Plans.

The Budget Monitoring report for 2026/27 revealed lower-than-expected toll income due to reduced traffic and increased TAG discount use. A deficit is forecast from 2028/29. Officers noted that a government debt write-off could provide approximately £5 million in annual revenue benefit, but cautioned that this is speculative and should not be relied upon. The committee resolved to note the report, requested officers to bring options to the October 2026 financial workshop, and resolved that any increase in ferry tolls should not exceed the increase in bridge tolls.