I KNOW this is an old chestnut, but with a new year beckoning, isn’t it about time that Southampton City Council considered scrapping the tolls on the Itchen Bridge?

I know the arguments “it was never promised in 1977,”

“it would take an Act of Parliament,” “it’s a cash generator” and “no money has ever been paid off the original loan,” “it costs money to maintain” etc – but none of these are insurmountable.

Other bridges into the city are free and have to be maintained and it seems wholly wrong to me that people on the east side and in the new housing in Woolston have to pay to enter their own city when those on the west come in for free.

In fact the west side has a dual carriageway while the east has traffic lights.

During the bridge’s lifetime the council has taken millions in tolls, surely now would be the time to give something back? Might I suggest June 1, 2012, the 35th anniversary of the bridge?

Alternatively, in the interests of fairness, how about putting a toll on the Millbrook Flyover. (Only kidding, although . . !).

RAY ROUTLEDGE, Southampton.