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HGVs using the Humber Bridge now face a increased toll of nearly £40 in a move that has been slammed by a Hull-based haulier and the local council. Andrew Tucker, director of AS Haulage (Hull), says the latest round of toll rises for the bridge is "an outrage", claiming it is detrimental to business in the area and harmful to the environment as hauliers will burn diesel on alternative, toll-free, routes.

The increases are also being opposed by the Humber Unitary Leaders Group, which represents  Hull City Council, East Riding Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council. The group is calling on Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly to hold a public inquiry, even though the Humber Bridge Board has already begun a consultation process which allows objections to the toll increase to be registered by October 6.

One-way charges for a truck of more than 7.5 tonnes and four or more axles would go up from £18.30 to £19.90. Goods vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes would pay £5.30, up from £4.90 now. By comparison, the Severn Bridge charges HGVs £15.90 for a crossing while the Dartford toll over the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge costs just £2.90.

The Humber Bridge opened in 1981 with debts of £151m, which escalated because the tolls could not even cover the interest on the loans. Following a refinancing deal with the Government in 1998, the bridge board plans to pay off the debt by 2032 - but needs to increase tolls regularly to do so.