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<p>The operation and funding of the Mersey Tunnels has always been a matter for the
local authorities in the area. Following the creation of the Liverpool City Region
Combined Authority in 2014, the ownership of the Mersey Tunnels, and the power to
set tolls, rests with them. Any decision to scrap the tolls, which cover the cost
of Tunnel operations and fund other local transport priorities, would therefore be
for the Combined Authority to take. We have been advised by Merseytravel, which operates
the Tunnels on behalf of the Combined Authority, that the Tunnel tolls currently raise
£41m per year so this would represent the cost to the local taxpayer if they were
foregone. In addition, if the tunnel tolls were scrapped there might well be some
leakage of traffic from the Mersey Gateway bridge, which is currently under construction
and will be tolled, to the tunnels. If so, this would create an adverse impact on
the finances of the bridge.</p>
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