Hundreds of people gathered in Saltash on Saturday to take a visible stand against charges on the Tamar Bridge, walking from Alexandra Square and crossing the structure in a demonstration organised by the Tamar Toll Action Group.
Community anger at tolls
The protest, which set off at about 13:00 BST, brought together pedestrians and vehicles displaying campaign banners. Organisers said the event was intended to show elected representatives the scale of local feeling about the cost of crossing the river.
Scott Slavin, chair of the Tamar Toll Action Group, told the crowd the campaign wanted to push MPs and ministers to act. He highlighted the financial burden on Saltash’s postal district, saying residents there pay in excess of £2m a year in tolls — a figure he contrasted with the sum paid by neighbouring Plymouth.
"There is a particularly strong feeling in Saltash because our postal district is paying over £2m a year in tolls, that's an enormous sum of money out of the raw economy of a small Cornish town,"
Voices from the march
Local people attending the march spoke of the practical consequences of the charge. One resident, Jacqueline Jones, said she makes frequent trips for hospital appointments and resents having to pay each time. Another, Jean Wengradt, argued the crossing should not be subject to fees.
- Campaigners say tolls drain local spending power in Saltash and surrounding areas.
- Some residents emphasised toll costs make essential journeys — including health visits — more onerous.
- Organisers aim to use the demonstration to press MPs and the Department for Transport for reform.
Authorities respond
The Department for Transport said decisions about tolling fall to the Tamar Crossings Joint Committee and that it would continue working with the committee on proposals to improve the crossings. The committee itself said it "recognise[d] and respect[ed] the right to peaceful protest."
Operators of the crossing have previously emphasised the financial difficulty of funding the structure. Last month, Philip Robinson, the crossings’ chief operating officer, described financing the bridge as "extremely challenging." Those comments were echoed in the committee response.
| Stakeholder | Position/Comment |
|---|---|
| Tamar Toll Action Group | Seeking change to tolling; highlights local economic impact |
| Department for Transport | Notes decision-making sits with Tamar Crossings Joint Committee; open to working on proposals |
| Tamar Crossings Joint Committee | Recognises right to peaceful protest; manages tolling arrangements |
| Local residents | Raised concerns about cost of essential journeys and local economy |
The demonstration reflects longstanding tensions across the border between Cornwall and Devon over the financing of key river crossings. Campaigners argue that toll income taken from small towns can disproportionately affect local spending and essential services; bridge operators and the joint committee point to funding pressures in maintaining and operating the infrastructure.
For now, the protest sends a clear message to local MPs and national ministers that a vocal section of the community wants reconsideration of how the crossings are funded and how toll decisions are made.
