PEAK-time use of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry during lock down has been around half what it would normally be, say Tamar Crossings, who run the services.

Traffic on the bridge yesterday morning was at around 46% of normal rush-hour levels, while the ferries are running with just over half the vehicles on board than they would nornally carry.

Tolls are currently suspended on both the bridge and the ferry – a decision which was made to safeguard users of the crossings making essential journeys to work, as well as staff.

The Cornish Times asked Tamar Crossings if it intended to begin charging again, in the light of the relaxation of the restrictions on movement which began today.

’Plans are being developed for the resumption of tolling but there is currently no agreed date for this,’ said a Tamar Crossings spokesperson.

’We will continue to review the position as the situation develops and in the light of any further Government advice.

’We take the health and safety of all our service users, staff and the wider public very seriously and we have robust plans in place to deal with any future increase in traffic levels as a result of the gradual relaxation of the lockdown restrictions.

’The advice from the Government remains that vehicles should be used only for essential journeys.’

Last week, Cornwall’s senior councillor for Transport warned that the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry only have reserves to last until the end of July unless the Government steps in to help.

Both services are operated under a joint arrangement between Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council.

The income from the tolls pays for the maintenance of the bridge and ferry. Earlier this year the councils got permission from the Government to increase toll charges in order to meet operating costs - but with tolls not having been collected for several weeks the amount of money available is running short.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for transport, said the Government had rejected an initial call for help.

He said: “I was disappointed that the Government rejected our case for extra funding for the Tamar Bridge and the Torpoint Ferry but we have not given up.

’We have sent a second letter to the secretary of state, the maritime minister and all our local MPs from Cornwall and Plymouth explaining the problem in detail, outlining the fact that currently Highways England do not, and never have, paid anything towards the costs of running the A38 across the bridge and asking for our request to be reconsidered, given the unique position of the crossings.’

Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, has said she was ’surprised’ at the decision to remove tolls on the bridge and ferry, but she has supported the calls for more government support, and said that she has met with Maritime Minister Kerry Tolhurst and Cornwall Council leader Julian German to discuss the issue.

In the last year prior to the lockdown, there had been a gradual increase in the amount of traffic using the bridge, said Tamar Crossings.