SOUTH East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd has launched a fresh fight to cut Tamar crossing tolls – and ultimately scrap them altogether.

Ms Gelderd has launched a petition calling on the government to recognise the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry as critical national infrastructure, deliver cheaper tolls for local people and set out a long-term plan to remove charges.

She says people across South East Cornwall are being forced to pay for infrastructure which serves a much wider regional and national purpose.

The crossings are used every day by thousands of people travelling between South East Cornwall and Plymouth for work, school, healthcare, shopping and family life.

For communities in Saltash, Torpoint, Looe, Liskeard, Callington and villages across the constituency, crossing the Tamar is not an occasional journey – it’s part of everyday life.

Ms Gelderd said: “The Tamar crossings truly are a lifeline for our communities and local economy. Every day, people rely on them to get to work and school, access healthcare, and visit loved ones. They also play an essential role in our regional economy and national connectivity.

“For too long, local people have faced a financial burden because of these tolls. It puts an additional barrier on local residents and businesses getting where they need to go and means local people are paying for crucial national infrastructure. That is not a fair deal for our communities.”

The petition comes as the future of the Tamar crossings remains a major issue for communities on both sides of the river.

The Labour MP wants the government to recognise the crossings’ importance and help reduce the financial burden on those who depend on the bridge and ferry.

“This petition calls for cheaper tolls for local people, the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry to be recognised as critical national infrastructure and for a long-term solution that removes the need for tolls altogether,” she said.

“This is a campaign for South East Cornwall, and I want to take our community's voice directly to Parliament, as part of my continued work on this mission.”

The petition is open only to residents of South East Cornwall and must be signed in person.

Signing opportunities will be available at venues across the constituency over the coming weeks, with details due to be announced on Ms Gelderd’s social media channels.

Just last month, Tamar Crossings chief officer, Philip Robinson, reported there were 8.24-million vehicle movements over the latest 12-month period, down slightly from 8.29-million the year before.

Despite the small fall in traffic, revenue has climbed, with average income generated per vehicle increasing from £2 to £2.18. During June, July and August alone, the crossings generated £4.86-million, compared with £4.85-million during the same period last year.

The increase in annual income follows toll rises introduced in May 2025.

Officials, however, warn the current revenue picture could change. The report highlights a continued decline in full-price cash and card payments – a trend which was not anticipated in previous forecasts.

External pressures, including fuel prices, could continue to affect the number of motorists paying the full rate, while the increasing use of TamarTags is also changing the payment mix.