I do so on behalf of the four unitary Humber councils that encompass the Hull and Humber Ports City Region - serving a population of nearly a million people.

The Humber Unitary Leaders' Group meeting on September 11 2008 considered at length the proposed toll increase along with a progress report on research we commissioned in the summer from Charles Buchanan & Partners. This is looking in detail at the economic and social impact of high tolls (the highest in the UK).

The research findings will shortly be published.

Having considered both the research and the planned toll increase, it was agreed that I write to you to make clear our opposition to yet another increase. We feel that with imminence of the research findings and the very difficult economic conditions local businesses and individuals face in the Humber sub-region (or City Region), another increase would be indefensible.

Along with the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, we are looking to publish the research in London in October.

We would very much like to meet you and other ministers to share the findings - although at this stage, none of the councils have had sight of the report.

I can confirm that the consultants have used the economic model recognised by the Department for Transport. We will be inviting all MPs in the City Region.

I can say with confidence that there is a level of consensus on the issue of the tolls not previously seen.

We recognise that the Humber Bridge Board - in seeking approval for this latest increase - is acting in accord with the agreement with government on debt rescheduling, requiring, as things stand at present, the toll to increase every two years in line with inflation.

That said, we don't believe we can sit back at this time and acquiesce to another increase when we all know the damage these extremely high tolls have on the economic performance of the City Region.
We are totally committed to achieving a successful and dynamic City Region.

But we believe its potential is seriously constrained by high toll charges.

That is the view of the business community and it is based on sound evidence.

To require local people (and 80 per cent of bridge traffic is local) to pay £5.90 for a return car journey across the bridge and businesses with the largest HGVs to pay nearly £40 (£39.80) is a burden too far with all the other pressures on budgets.

Far too many HGVs are now bypassing the bridge to avoid the tolls.
This is a growing concern, but the problem is likely to get worse. This is not the way to operate a cohesive and dynamic City Region.

We will continue to have two separate job markets for as long as these very high tolls remain in existence.

With the imminent publication of the research findings - including quantifying the effect the high bridge tolls have on the City Region economy in terms of output and productivity - we would ask you to turn down the request for a further increase in the toll.

Hopefully, you will agree that this would allow the opportunity to share the research findings with ministers and civil servants and decide how best to proceed.

If you feel unable to reject the latest toll increase, we ask you to require a local public inquiry to be held.
However, we believe the time is now right to pause and decide how best we move forward in a spirit of constructive engagement we all wish to see.
I look forward to hearing from you.

A letter from Coun Stephen Parnaby, chairman, Humber Sub-Region Unitary Leaders' Group, to Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport . . .