Decision details

Report of the Head of Highways and Parking Services concerning the determination of any outstanding objections to a proposal advertised on 25 Sept 2009 to exempt motorcyclists who live within the city boundary from the tolls at the Itchen Bridge.

To approve the introduction of a scheme to offer a ‘toll-free’ concession at the Itchen Bridge to motorcyclists who reside within the City. 

It has been a long standing political desire of the current administration to bring in the initiative of toll free usage of the Itchen Bridge for the City’s residents who use motorcycles. This should be limited to residents as the need for overall tolls remain in order to fund the significant running costs of the bridge.

The Cabinet has considered the objections to the revised TRO and related views but does not consider these override the rationale or reasonableness of the proposals and the safety and operational considerations detailed in the officers report.

A scheme for all motorcyclists (a vehicle class exemption rather than toll concession) with no special safety measures. This was rejected by Cabinet on health and safety advice in June 2008.

A scheme for all motorcyclists (a vehicle class exemption rather than toll concession) together with exit barriers added to the toll booths as a safety measure. This would cost about £75,000-£90,000, but would not represent good value if the barriers were superseded by future alterations to the toll plaza.

A scheme for all motorcyclists (a vehicle class exemption rather than toll concession) allowing them to use the bus-only link road at the eastern end of the bridge to avoid the toll booths. This would pose unacceptable risks to pedestrians and motorcyclists in the link road, which serves as a busy local bus terminus.