Latest news with #tollbridge
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Warburton Toll Bridge threatened by 'irresponsible' lorry drivers
A toll bridge may have to close unless "irresponsible" drivers of lorries, tractors and other heavy vehicles stop crossing it illegally. Warburton Toll Bridge's owner claimed some drivers had taken advantage of tolls being suspended since Manchester Ship Canal Company said various measures had failed to deter drivers of overweight vehicles, and warned this was threatening the safety of contractors upgrading the bridge. It said some tractor drivers have obscured their number plates to avoid being caught on camera, with others have allegedly lied to site staff by claiming to have a permit to cross the bridge in Cheshire. In addition to signs clearly warning of the restrictions, barriers were introduced to deter overweight port director Jon Hassett said: "We have put in place a number of safe and sensible measures to deter these irresponsible drivers and ensure everyone's safety."Unfortunately the problem persists and unless we are able to resolve the illegal use of overweight vehicles using the bridge, we will be left with no other solution than to shut the road completely."It is essential that we can focus our efforts and resources on completing the upgrade as soon as possible rather than tackling this selfish behaviour." 'Little regard for others' Contractor Taziker, whose staff are doing most of the upgrade works, echoed Mr Hassett's director Neil Harrison said: "It is extremely disappointing that some drivers are so willing to put other people at risk for their own convenience. "It's also unreasonable to expect our staff, or indeed anyone, to be policing access and risking confrontation with individuals who have so far shown little regard for others."Local authorities have already been advised of the seriousness of the problem. Given the frequency of the breaches, Peel Ports Group and Taziker said they were monitoring the situation daily. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Brisbane's Story Bridge could bring back tolls without restoration deal, council says
Brisbane's Story Bridge may go back to being a toll bridge if a funding deal can't be made to restore it, the city council says. An independent committee found the 85-year-old bridge would be unable to carry traffic within 20 years without a full restoration, at a cost which would be "beyond council". To fund that, the committee suggested a toll like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, joint council, state and federal government contributions, or an annual rates levy and corporate sponsorship. In a statement, Brisbane City Council said a toll or levy would only be considered as a "last resort". "The Story Bridge is an icon and I'm sure all Queenslanders and all Australians will support its full restoration so it can continue to operate for another 100 years," Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said. "I'm confident the other levels of government will partner with us to restore the bridge and the footpaths." The committee also recommended the bridge's two footpaths be immediately restored, after a detailed structural assessment following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The assessment found sections of the path were worse than identified in previous reports, with evidence that water was leaking through the concrete. Story Bridge was a toll bridge from its opening in 1940, until 1947 when it was taken over by council. Story Bridge Restoration Committee chair Nigel Chamier said significant restoration was needed despite "regular maintenance and renewal work" by council. "Restoring the Story Bridge will be challenging, particularly when it comes to securing funding and the necessary resources to ensure critical restoration works can be delivered in the coming years," he said.
