HGV Toll Vote – early results

A new Vote Poll on Audlem Online started on 6th July and early voting suggests it could be an interesting topic.

The poll asks if tolls should be imposed on long-distance Heavy Goods Vehicles passing through Audlem. With the news that tolls may be introduced soon on the 40-year old Runcorn Bridge, the big question is – if Runcorn can do it, why not Audlem?

So far 34% have voted for 'Let's have tolls for HGVs and caravans'; 29% say 'No, what a ridiculous idea'; 26% have opted for '£10.00 would really benefit Audlem' while a smaller toll of £5 is the least popular option with 11% saying that figure sounds fair.

TollgateTollgate Drive would be the ideal spot – it's where the A525 and A529 meet and so all long-distance HGVs have to pass that junction – and historically is spot on. The name reflects the old toll gate that was at this spot and a toll house stood on that junction for many years.

New jobsNew local jobs as toll collectors would be a bonus. Indeed, since Audlem Online first mischievously suggested the village follows Runcorn's example, a good number of people have put their names forward for the five or six new jobs that would be created as toll collectors.

Even if the village votes overwhelmingly for tolls, there may be the odd legal issue. It's a bit of a throw back to the old turnpikes and limiting the tolls to long-distance trucks might cause some aggravation for the toll collectors! But no-one, we suspect, wants to harm local businesses such as milk tankers and animal feed trucks which would not be penalised.

But is it worth considering? If a toll can be imposed on an old bridge like Runcorn's, why not on an old road like the A525 which is clearly unsuitable for HGVs. A toll, perhaps even news of a toll, would either make HGVs find another route or, if they still rumble through, make lots of money for the village. It could even help pay for resurfacing the roads which are in a mess in part because of the massive weight of the trucks.

Vote nowCast your vote now. There's the four options to choose from. Click on to the Vote Poll section on the Homepage and select the option you favour from the drop down menu and then Vote. Audlem Online's voting system is designed to stop multiple voting.

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