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Toll scrapped for motorbikes
2:16pm Thursday 6th December 2007
Comments (60)
THE 20p charge for motorcyclists to use the Itchen Toll Bridge in Southampton is to be scrapped.
It means that thousands of bikers will no longer hold up traffic on the bridge as they fumble for change in their leathers when they approach the toll booth.
We are looking at ways we can make improvements for motorists and for more people to drive electrically-powered vehicles in the future.
Councillor Gavin Dick
Electrically powered vehicles will also be exempt from paying the 50p charge (rising to 60p at peak times) imposed on cars and light vans. However, owners of hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight, will continue to have to pay the toll.
The new charging system could be introduced early next year and follows a review of the cost implications.
Axing the charge, which has been in place since 1991, would cost the council about £20,000 a year in lost income, as almost 100,000 motorcycles crossed the bridge last year.
The hole in council coffers will be met by identifying savings in other areas of spending, the city council's transport chief said.
It follows lobbying by the Southampton Motorcycle Action Group, which said that it would help end queues of waiting cars.
Councillor Gavin Dick, Cabinet member for the environment and transport, said that the council wanted to reward environmentally-conscious drivers.
Plans to make it free to park electrically-powered cars in the city are also being considered.
"We are looking at ways we can make improvements for motorists and for more people to drive electrically-powered vehicles in the future," Cllr Dick said.
Earlier this year, the Daily Echo revealed that the bridge, which cost £12m when it opened in 1977, had raised £50m in charges.
Your Say YourDaily Echo
Carsy, Southampton says...
2:22pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Caz, North Baddesley says...
2:34pm Thu 6 Dec 07
JP, Southampton says...
2:35pm Thu 6 Dec 07
I don't mind paying but surely there should be a better system to accomodate regular users other than tokens (a scheme like the Dart Pass used at the dartford tunnel??)
John C. Biker, says...
2:39pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Caz wrote:How does that stand? Bikes are entitled to a full lane on the roads (try telling that to the average car driver) ergo they should pay for a bridge? No logic there whatsoever, love
Once again it looks like car drivers will be penalised, surely,
motorcycles should pay to use the bridge, after all they are entitled
to a full lane on the roads! Where will the penalisation on car drivers
end?!
Colin, Southampton says...
3:02pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Anon, says...
3:02pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Old Git, Southampton says...
3:05pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Anon wrote:Never! You lot are worse than the dickheads 'driving' vans. Local people driving private cars should go free.
When can taxicabs get over for free?
Hiram Hackenbacker, Tracey Island says...
3:09pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Anon wrote:Presumably they include it in the fare? Or is it like in say New York where you are expected to give the driver cash to pay any tolls?
When can taxicabs get over for free?
Only charge at peak times, says...
3:09pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Any one coming through with an Ikea bag should be charged a tenner.
Jane Torville, Holiday on Ice says...
3:11pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Only charge at peak times, says...
3:18pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Jane Torville wrote:Charge the skaters 20 quid an hour and keep the rink open at the users' cost.
Charge the bikers a pound each and build an ice rink!!
bingolover, southampton says...
3:35pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Hiram Hackenbacker wrote:Yep, they add the extra 50p to your charge if they drive over the bridge. Fare-enough I suppose.....
Anon wrote: When can taxicabs get over for free?Presumably they include it in the fare? Or is it like in say New York where you are expected to give the driver cash to pay any tolls?
bingolover too!!!, southampton says...
3:52pm Thu 6 Dec 07
George, says...
4:04pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Family Man, Bitterne says...
4:06pm Thu 6 Dec 07
However I would like to see what the annual income of the bridge actually is and how much it costs (in salaries etc.) to collect the tolls. And where the "profit" actually goes?
Does anybody know?
I have however always wondered why large "taxis" carrying single occupants (which I see every morning) but masquerading as "minibuses" get away with paying sweet FA.
nannyogg, southampton says...
5:11pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Hants Resident, says...
5:16pm Thu 6 Dec 07
nannyogg wrote:And then whose going to foot the bill for the repair and maintenance of this bridge?
Standing up for what you believe in instead of sitting on your backside sure does pay of. Well done to Motorcycle Action Group and all who ride along and supports the demo's for free road tolls across the u.k.We (mag)have campaigned for aprox 18 years to scrap the cost.Shame the car drivers don't stand toger for their beliefs!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tax payers who don't use it? That would seem fair wouldn't it?
Or maybe bump up the road tax for motor bikes to contribute for towards it?
Carsey, Sholing says...
5:19pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Carsey, Sholing says...
5:24pm Thu 6 Dec 07
nannyogg, southampton says...
5:28pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Hants Resident wrote:Hant;s resident, you car drivers will of course!!!
nannyogg wrote: Standing up for what you believe in instead of sitting on your backside sure does pay of. Well done to Motorcycle Action Group and all who ride along and supports the demo\'s for free road tolls across the u.k.We (mag)have campaigned for aprox 18 years to scrap the cost.Shame the car drivers don\'t stand toger for their beliefs!!!!!!!!!!!!And then whose going to foot the bill for the repair and maintenance of this bridge? Tax payers who don\'t use it? That would seem fair wouldn\'t it? Or maybe bump up the road tax for motor bikes to contribute for towards it?
Colin, Southampton says...
5:29pm Thu 6 Dec 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
5:30pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Anyone of us Harley riders should not have the indignity of having to stop and mess about with finding small change.
In fact - they should pay us to hear that glorious engine go by......
I can just imagine hordes of Echo forum nerds sitting on the bridge and seeing if they can identify me!!!!
Sorry but I have no set travel times through the day or night
Hants Resident, says...
5:33pm Thu 6 Dec 07
King Mush wrote:Just run anyone with a Harley over then? lol
Great news!!! Anyone of us Harley riders should not have the indignity of having to stop and mess about with finding small change. In fact - they should pay us to hear that glorious engine go by...... I can just imagine hordes of Echo forum nerds sitting on the bridge and seeing if they can identify me!!!! Sorry but I have no set travel times through the day or night
Carsey, Sholing says...
5:35pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Ms Saunders., says...
6:11pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Geoff Breeze, says...
6:14pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Geoff Breeze
Motorcycle Action Group
token happy, says...
6:15pm Thu 6 Dec 07
happy biker, says...
6:17pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Geoff Breeze, says...
6:23pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Geoff Breeze
Motorcycle Action Group
Bikes Rock, Soton says...
6:29pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Old Git wrote:Local people should stop being so lazing and walk or cycle, moaning foul thats probably overweight. Its pathetic how lazy the average person is. Oh and thanks for calling me a dickhead - nob ed!
Anon wrote: When can taxicabs get over for free?Never! You lot are worse than the dickheads 'driving' vans. Local people driving private cars should go free.
Older people and disabled should go free!
Bridge Jumper, Six Foot under says...
6:33pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Geoff Breeze wrote:I see the MAG doesn't hold tests to see if members are literate?
I am delighted at the decision by the coincil to scap tolls for bikes on the bridge. Most toll bridges in the UK no longer charge bikes and it will help ease congestion around the bridge area.
Geoff Breeze
Motorcycle Action Group
I feel to offset this theory of saving time, i shall ensure i drive up with my window fully up until i am fully stationary at the booth; leave the last 50p in my jeans pocket with several other coins of various sizes to ensure maximum time taken which i shall not attempt to find till i am stopped, and have lowered my window - then i will request a receipt just to top it all off nicely - more fuel + paper thus helping the glorious Global Warming.
Lets see what the "coincil" says then
JetJunkJiver, Hedge End says...
6:35pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Joe, Fawley says...
6:42pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Old Git wrote:Can you tell me how you would widen the lanes on the itchen bridge. I would love to know ;o)
£50m? Then, why haven't we widened the **** thing to accommodate a couple more lanes? I wouldn't have to tolerate as many selfish dickheads as I do every morning. Do they know how to get through the toll and onto the bridge in an orderly manner, saving us all time? Do they bo**ocks! Perhaps we need some very simple (easy to understand) signs, especially for the numpties in the 'white vans'.
Ex toll bridge operator., says...
6:42pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Bikes Rock wrote:Just to clarify a point here, People who are Disabled or caring for a person with a disability can get free toll use.They have to take their tax excemt certificate into the toll bridge offices.
Old Git wrote:Local people should stop being so lazing and walk or cycle, moaning foul thats probably overweight. Its pathetic how lazy the average person is. Oh and thanks for calling me a dickhead - nob ed! Older people and disabled should go free!Anon wrote: When can taxicabs get over for free?Never! You lot are worse than the dickheads 'driving' vans. Local people driving private cars should go free.
Rasolom, Eastleigh says...
6:54pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Bridge Jumper wrote:Bridge Jumper? What a wonderfully colourful choice of name, it must have taken you a great deal of thought to come up with that, almost as long as it took to come up with your reply, the usual lets throw our toys out the pram if someone else gets something that I cannot have. I am not surprised that you would usually attempt to find your money whilst driving, in between smoking and answering your mobile phone maybe? You could of course ride a bike, reap the benefits and be happy along with the rest of us? I trust that my spelling of PRAT is correct?
Geoff Breeze wrote: I am delighted at the decision by the coincil to scap tolls for bikes on the bridge. Most toll bridges in the UK no longer charge bikes and it will help ease congestion around the bridge area. Geoff Breeze Motorcycle Action GroupI see the MAG doesn\'t hold tests to see if members are literate? I feel to offset this theory of saving time, i shall ensure i drive up with my window fully up until i am fully stationary at the booth; leave the last 50p in my jeans pocket with several other coins of various sizes to ensure maximum time taken which i shall not attempt to find till i am stopped, and have lowered my window - then i will request a receipt just to top it all off nicely - more fuel + paper thus helping the glorious Global Warming. Lets see what the \"coincil\" says then
Thank You and Goodnight
I wanna be in a car demo on Itchen Bridge!!, says...
6:56pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Bridge Jumper wrote:Let me know when your gonna organize a demo and then i'll join you. But Don't use 50p give em a £50 note!!
Geoff Breeze wrote: I am delighted at the decision by the coincil to scap tolls for bikes on the bridge. Most toll bridges in the UK no longer charge bikes and it will help ease congestion around the bridge area. Geoff Breeze Motorcycle Action GroupI see the MAG doesn\'t hold tests to see if members are literate? I feel to offset this theory of saving time, i shall ensure i drive up with my window fully up until i am fully stationary at the booth; leave the last 50p in my jeans pocket with several other coins of various sizes to ensure maximum time taken which i shall not attempt to find till i am stopped, and have lowered my window - then i will request a receipt just to top it all off nicely - more fuel + paper thus helping the glorious Global Warming. Lets see what the \"coincil\" says then
Joe, Fawley says...
7:00pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Ex toll bridge operator. wrote:So why should people who are disabled and drive a car get it free too ? Disabled people want to be treated equal but only when it suits them .
Bikes Rock wrote:Just to clarify a point here, People who are Disabled or caring for a person with a disability can get free toll use.They have to take their tax excemt certificate into the toll bridge offices.
Old Git wrote:Local people should stop being so lazing and walk or cycle, moaning foul thats probably overweight. Its pathetic how lazy the average person is. Oh and thanks for calling me a dickhead - nob ed! Older people and disabled should go free!Anon wrote: When can taxicabs get over for free?Never! You lot are worse than the dickheads 'driving' vans. Local people driving private cars should go free.
Teacher!, says...
7:01pm Thu 6 Dec 07
I wanna be in a car demo on Itchen Bridge!! wrote:Does being literate make you a nicer person?
Bridge Jumper wrote:Let me know when your gonna organize a demo and then i\'ll join you. But Don\'t use 50p give em a £50 note!!Geoff Breeze wrote: I am delighted at the decision by the coincil to scap tolls for bikes on the bridge. Most toll bridges in the UK no longer charge bikes and it will help ease congestion around the bridge area. Geoff Breeze Motorcycle Action GroupI see the MAG doesn\\\'t hold tests to see if members are literate? I feel to offset this theory of saving time, i shall ensure i drive up with my window fully up until i am fully stationary at the booth; leave the last 50p in my jeans pocket with several other coins of various sizes to ensure maximum time taken which i shall not attempt to find till i am stopped, and have lowered my window - then i will request a receipt just to top it all off nicely - more fuel + paper thus helping the glorious Global Warming. Lets see what the \\\"coincil\\\" says then
Aim to please!, says...
7:05pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Joe wrote:Let me know when you want me to run you over Joe on my bike(have to be sunny though).Then you can join the blue badge brigade!!
Ex toll bridge operator. wrote:So why should people who are disabled and drive a car get it free too ? Disabled people want to be treated equal but only when it suits them .Bikes Rock wrote:Just to clarify a point here, People who are Disabled or caring for a person with a disability can get free toll use.They have to take their tax excemt certificate into the toll bridge offices.Old Git wrote:Local people should stop being so lazing and walk or cycle, moaning foul thats probably overweight. Its pathetic how lazy the average person is. Oh and thanks for calling me a dickhead - nob ed! Older people and disabled should go free!Anon wrote: When can taxicabs get over for free?Never! You lot are worse than the dickheads \'driving\' vans. Local people driving private cars should go free.
Joe, Fawley says...
8:06pm Thu 6 Dec 07
replying to pratman cause i'm bored!, says...
8:24pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Joe wrote:Whats a c90?? Your just scared that the pain maybe to much for you to handle?
i will take a rain check on that one, much prefer to be treated equal, than being run over by your Honda C90 ;o)
Old Git, Southampton says...
9:36pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Bikes Rock wrote:Yeah, 'old gits' like me. Thank you for being so conscientious. Don't be so sensitive, I've been called much worse; and I'm convinced you have, too. It's only a word. And quite a useful and often appropriate one, too. It's not as if you've just been cut up by a van, whose driver was so desperate to get in front of everyone to join a traffic jam on the bridge. Why would anyone do something like that, if they weren't using their dick as a problem-solving organ?
Old Git wrote:Local people should stop being so lazing and walk or cycle, moaning foul thats probably overweight. Its pathetic how lazy the average person is. Oh and thanks for calling me a dickhead - nob ed! Older people and disabled should go free!Anon wrote: When can taxicabs get over for free?Never! You lot are worse than the dickheads 'driving' vans. Local people driving private cars should go free.
Old Git, Southampton says...
9:46pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Joe wrote:Its easy, actually. Pedestrians and cyclists take an alternative route (e.g. Northam Bridge), thus freeing up not only the very wide cycle lanes but the very wide pavements on either side of the bridge. How else? You werent thinking of using £38m worth of no-nails for something silly, were you?
Old Git wrote: £50m? Then, why haven't we widened the **** thing to accommodate a couple more lanes? I wouldn't have to tolerate as many selfish dickheads as I do every morning. Do they know how to get through the toll and onto the bridge in an orderly manner, saving us all time? Do they bo**ocks! Perhaps we need some very simple (easy to understand) signs, especially for the numpties in the 'white vans'.Can you tell me how you would widen the lanes on the itchen bridge. I would love to know ;o)
Bikes rock, soton says...
11:23pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Old Git wrote:Old git you rock!
Bikes Rock wrote:Yeah, \'old gits\' like me. Thank you for being so conscientious. Don\'t be so sensitive, I\'ve been called much worse; and I\'m convinced you have, too. It\'s only a word. And quite a useful and often appropriate one, too. It\'s not as if you\'ve just been cut up by a van, whose driver was so desperate to get in front of everyone to join a traffic jam on the bridge. Why would anyone do something like that, if they weren\'t using their dick as a problem-solving organ?Old Git wrote:Local people should stop being so lazing and walk or cycle, moaning foul thats probably overweight. Its pathetic how lazy the average person is. Oh and thanks for calling me a dickhead - nob ed! Older people and disabled should go free!Anon wrote: When can taxicabs get over for free?Never! You lot are worse than the dickheads \'driving\' vans. Local people driving private cars should go free.
Old Git, Southampton says...
11:53pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Read this muppet. wrote:Absolutely! The Itchen bridge was built for local people, as I remember. It should be free to local drivers as well as riders. These days, so many leave the M27 (Junction 8) and clogg up Portsmouth Road on route via the bridge. These people should be paying more to cross our bridge.
This is about the Toll bridge Not about who can/can's spell etc Also i find the use of bad language totaly out of order.So please **** off and annoy someone who gives a A F **K!!
Joe, Fawley says...
6:55am Fri 7 Dec 07
replying to pratman cause i\'m bored! wrote:Normal people like my self don't relish the thought of getting hit by a motor bike, and normal people would shy away from your offer because it would hurt. Either you have no sense no feeling . or just a chav ?
Joe wrote:Whats a c90?? Your just scared that the pain maybe to much for you to handle?
i will take a rain check on that one, much prefer to be treated equal, than being run over by your Honda C90 ;o)
I do how ever have the right to express my opinion with out someone advocating some form of violence towards me.
Joe, Fawley says...
7:08am Fri 7 Dec 07
Old Git wrote:What are you going on about . What you wrote is so nonsensical it begs belief.
Joe wrote:Its easy, actually. Pedestrians and cyclists take an alternative route (e.g. Northam Bridge), thus freeing up not only the very wide cycle lanes but the very wide pavements on either side of the bridge. How else? You werent thinking of using £38m worth of no-nails for something silly, were you?
Old Git wrote: £50m? Then, why haven't we widened the **** thing to accommodate a couple more lanes? I wouldn't have to tolerate as many selfish dickheads as I do every morning. Do they know how to get through the toll and onto the bridge in an orderly manner, saving us all time? Do they bo**ocks! Perhaps we need some very simple (easy to understand) signs, especially for the numpties in the 'white vans'.Can you tell me how you would widen the lanes on the itchen bridge. I would love to know ;o)
So your saying cycles and pedestrians take a 7 mile detour, so we can use both cycle lanes to make half a lane and to complete just one lane we can dispense of pedestrians too by taking their pavement. So you created just one lane, how about the other side? I know, maybe make the bridge one way only ;o)
Any ways how does widening a bridge that cant be widen, solve any problems with motorbikes at the booths and causing ques.
I think your post was a joke right ? the trouble is there are a few scary people on here and it gets getting harder to tell fact from fiction.
Stephen Humby, Southampton says...
8:58am Fri 7 Dec 07
Johnny Bikes, says...
8:58am Fri 7 Dec 07
Johnny Cars, says...
8:59am Fri 7 Dec 07
Lynda, Southampton says...
12:05pm Fri 7 Dec 07
Bikes Rock wrote:How do you propose people walk or cycle with what would be a car full of shopping, luggage, picnic stuff or sailing gear? Not everyone who uses this bridge are lazy or overweight. Some people use this bridge legitimately - the detour to Northam would add extra atrain on the environment depending on the start point and destination. If you don't like paying full price for the bridge go and buy some tokens from the local co-op and stop complaining. I'm glad that bikes will now stop slowing down my journey over the bridge.
Old Git wrote:Local people should stop being so lazing and walk or cycle, moaning foul thats probably overweight. Its pathetic how lazy the average person is. Oh and thanks for calling me a dickhead - nob ed! Older people and disabled should go free!Anon wrote: When can taxicabs get over for free?Never! You lot are worse than the dickheads 'driving' vans. Local people driving private cars should go free.
Robert J Chase, eastleigh says...
12:11pm Fri 7 Dec 07
Geoff Breeze wrote:Sorry Geoff but if by 'filtering' you mean passing a vehicle on the nearside you are wrong. It is illegal. The Highway Code makes no distinction between a motorbike and a car when ruling on overtaking. It says "137
In response to colin contry to popular beleif filtering is not illegal and can help ease congestion it is regretable that there are a minority of bikers that abuse the privelige and we would not condone anyone delibratly smashing your mirror but most of us are responsible road users. Geoff Breeze Motorcycle Action Group
On a two-lane dual carriageway you should stay in the left-hand lane. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right. After overtaking, move back to the left-hand lane when it is safe to do so." The same rule applies to motorways. No where in the code does it exclude riders from this rule.
Joe, Fawley says...
7:15pm Fri 7 Dec 07
Jez Dodington, Southampton says...
11:44pm Fri 7 Dec 07
Robert J Chase wrote:Unfortunatly Robert you looked in the wrong place within the Highway Code, when discussing motorcycles I suggest you read the part relevent to them.
Geoff Breeze wrote: In response to colin contry to popular beleif filtering is not illegal and can help ease congestion it is regretable that there are a minority of bikers that abuse the privelige and we would not condone anyone delibratly smashing your mirror but most of us are responsible road users. Geoff Breeze Motorcycle Action GroupSorry Geoff but if by 'filtering' you mean passing a vehicle on the nearside you are wrong. It is illegal. The Highway Code makes no distinction between a motorbike and a car when ruling on overtaking. It says "137 On a two-lane dual carriageway you should stay in the left-hand lane. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right. After overtaking, move back to the left-hand lane when it is safe to do so." The same rule applies to motorways. No where in the code does it exclude riders from this rule.
"88
Manoeuvring. You should be aware of what is behind and to the sides before manoeuvring. Look behind you; use mirrors if they are fitted. When in traffic queues look out for pedestrians crossing between vehicles and vehicles emerging from junctions or changing lanes. Position yourself so that drivers in front can see you in their mirrors. Additionally, when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low.
Remember: Observation Signal Manoeuvre"
So you are correct it doesn't exclude in 137, because it is a different rule for motorcycles 88, which is why the Police officer sat in his traffic car waved and smiled when I filtered past him on the M27 the other morning.
Joe, Fawley says...
6:10am Sat 8 Dec 07
Joe, Fawley says...
6:12am Sat 8 Dec 07
Amazed, West Midlands says...
8:49am Sat 8 Dec 07
If the crossing is causing you so much grief find another route or move house, get on with life and stop bleating, do something about it.
Trikster, Hant;s. says...
1:22am Sun 9 Dec 07
Jez Dodington, Southampton says...
6:40pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Joe wrote:Joe, apologies but it appears that you did not read it all and take not of "Position yourself so that drivers in front can see you in their mirrors. Additionally, when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low."
What you quoted has no relevance to understating what so ever. That's just telling you to be aware as a road user. Your not allowed to undertake no matter what motor vehicle your riding or driving, as simple as that . Motor bikes do not have any special dispensation from the law. I would also say as motor bikes are smaller and have a problem being seen , under taking makes them a bigger risk of an accident .
In filtering motorcycles are not infact considered to be undertaking as they are filtering.
It is not against the law and I do suggest that instead of being annoyed by us when stuck in traffic you consider joining us in not being.
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A Driver, says...
2:22pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Surely they will (or in the near future) increase the charge for cars to compensate?
Thankfully, i do not have to use this bridge.