Book of bridge

tickets will

cost £20

IN two months time motorists who make use of the concessionary fare ticket books to cross the Tamar Bridge, will be paying out £20 instead of £10.

The decision, which has been twice turned down at previous discussions, was made at Friday's meeting of the Joint Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferries Committee. They believe the new books, which will contain 40 tickets instead of the present 20, and still at 50p per crossing, will help to ease frustration for waits at toll booths and assist a smoother flow of traffic.

However, chairman of Caradon District Council Steve Tait, who is also a Saltash councillor, has condemned the decision saying it has not been thought through well enough and could cause hardship to some regular commuters into Plymouth.

'I am very angry as the Committee has failed to take into account the number of people on fixed incomes who have to use the bridge every day' he said, 'especially where there is no alternative public transport'. He said if keeping the flow of traffic moving was the reason for doubling the amount to be paid there was an alternative.

'It would be perfectly possible for bridge books to be sold at other outlets such as Saltash Town Council Offices, newsagents and post offices, and the price could still be £10' he said. 'The Committee have just not thought about this properly, and some of the decision makers do not use the bridge on a daily basis'.

But Joint Chairman of the Bridge and Ferry Committee, Mike Gillbard (Liskeard), has defended the new move saying that with three lanes now in operation with 7 toll booths, less purchasing of books, especially at peak traffic times, would ease frustrations of waiting motorists, and would also help with accountancy.

'I resisted this move for three years' he said, 'but now the bridge has been improved I feel we have made the right decision. People will be getting 40 crossings from a book and I hope they will be able to budget accordingly'.

Bridge manager David List, who put forward the idea said that stocks of the £10 books would still be available for users but only at the bridge and ferry offices until they ran out. The increased price would be publicised well in advance.

Stricken tanker

set to be moved

MV Willy, the stricken tanker still on rocks in Cawsand Bay underwent checks yesterday, so it can be safely towed to Falmouth, probably today. At present talks are underway between all those involved over when the tanker can best be moved. Jill Ferrey of Cornwall County Council said: 'It is good news that Falmouth Docks have secured the repair contract for the ship, as it will assist the local economy.'

Detailed inspections have confirmed there is no longer any risk of explosion from petrol vapours on the 3000 tonne vessel. After removing 80 tonnes of the ship's fuel oil which remained on board, the vessel has now been declared stable. Divers have reported many holes in the bottom of the ship, with rock visible.

The rudder was found next to the stern of the ship with the anchor lying nearby. The vessel's cargo tanks are due to be pumped full of compressed air to enable tugs to pull her off. Anti pollution teams are standing by should it become necessary to mount a clean up operation.