The project is in the early design stages

Plans are being developed for a new booth-free tolling system which is expected to reduce journey times across the Humber Bridge.

Motorists will no longer have to stop when crossing the Grade One listed structure once the major upgrade is complete.

Although the project is in the very early stages of development, the first steps in modernising the tolling system are now underway, including a new payment website. The new system would be designed to make payment easier, with everyone accommodated including those who prefer not to pay online.

The new tolling system is likely to require more staff to work in the office, meaning those currently working in the booths will be offered a new role.

The Humber Bridge Board is now starting a procurement process for consultants to work on the project. Once completed, the free flow system is expected to drastically reduce queuing at all times of the day.

Councillor Sean Chaytor, Chair of the Humber Bridge Board, said: “A free flow system addresses the limitations of the current hybrid (tag lane and toll booths) situation at the Humber Bridge. This will provide future proofing for tolling requirements and cope with any increases in traffic.

“The new system will have a huge, positive impact on crossing times, and with a brand new website dealing with payments, the whole experience of using the Humber Bridge will be significantly improved.

“We know static, queuing vehicles increase pollution. By removing the need for motorists to stop and start, we will cut carbon emissions generated by bridge users.”

Richard Hannigan, Deputy Chair of the Humber Bridge Board, added the upgrade would bring the north and south banks even closer together.

Councillor Hannigan, who is also Deputy Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Being able to cross the bridge more quickly further opens up the opportunity for people to live on one side of the estuary and work on the other.

“It facilitates the movement of commercial traffic, meaning goods coming to and from the docks can reach their destination sooner, emergency vehicles will be able to cross faster and people attending hospital appointments will be able to plan their crossings with a greater degree of confidence, knowing they will get where they need to be on time. All in all, it is great news for our region.”

Andrew Arundel, Chief Operating Officer of the Humber Bridge, added: “Once completed, it will make crossing the bridge a far more enjoyable experience. However, we’re also aware that motorists might be concerned that work will get underway soon, causing further disruption shortly after vital maintenance work to replace bearings at the Barton end of the bridge was completed.

“This is not the case. The system is in the early design stage and work on the bridge itself is unlikely to start for some time. For the time being, disruption to motorists and other users will be kept to a minimum.”

GET DAILY HEADLINES IN YOUR INBOX

Ultimate Demolition & Construction Services

Framework Architecture & Urban Design Ltd

A demonstration over high fuel prices

A convoy of vehicles on the M180 in Lincolnshire. | Photo: BBC

Police blocked a junction of the M180 in Lincolnshire as protestors targeted motorways across the country in a demonstration over high fuel prices.

The protests are mainly targeting three-lane motorways with convoys of vehicles driving slowly in two lanes, and some police forces warned there could be ‘serious disruption’ throughout Monday, July 4.

In Lincolnshire, police blocked junction one between the M180 and M18 forcing protestors to remain on the former.

Humberside Police said: “Police officers were in attendance at this morning’s protest to allow people to go about their lawful business and to protect the right of individuals to take part and exercise their right to peaceful protest.”

This comes as fuel prices have risen to record highs in recent weeks. Figures from data firm Experian show the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts had hit 191.5p on Sunday, July 3, according to the BBC.

Scunthorpe truck driver Tariq Akram was among those taking part in the protest, and one of 50 vehicles making the 60-mile journey through Scunthorpe and Doncaster at 20mph. His company added £4,000 to its fuel bill in the pasts four months due to price rises.

Tariq told the BBC: “The turnout was absolutely fantastic. There were 35 vehicles from our yard alone who took part. At one point, I thought some cars wanted to overtake so I tried to let them by, then I realised they were joining in.”

Hospital handover delays are part of the problem

Ambulances queued outside Lincoln County Hospital (archive photo) | Photo: Trev Green

The East Midlands Ambulance Service, which covers Lincolnshire, is missing every response time target, with hospital handover times causing severe delays.

Ambulances are missing targets across all categories of calls, from life-threatening to non-urgent, sometimes leaving patients waiting hours.

East Midlands Ambulance Service says they are under “immense pressure” and aim to prioritise the most seriously ill.

Figures from the services’ 2021/22 annual report show how high demand and hospital handovers are causing severe delays .

It takes EMAS crews an average time of just under nine minutes to respond to Category 1 life-threatening calls, despite the target being seven minutes.

People who dialled 999 for a Category 2 emergency would wait an average of over three-quarters of an hour – more than double the target of 19 minutes.

For Category 3 and 4 (Urgent and Non-Urgent) EMAS aims to get to 90% of patients within two and five hours respectively. However, nine in ten were still waiting more than six hours later.

The crisis has been partly attributed to handover delays which are forcing ambulances to wait for hours outside hospitals.

Some 125,000 hours were lost across the service in 2021/22 – more than double the previous year.

EMAS said the handover delays are a sign of the widespread pressure on health and social care systems, and it’s working with the NHS to address staffing pressure and improving patient flow.

Neil Scott, Head of Operations for Lincolnshire at East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We are currently experiencing immense, sustained pressure on our service and our staff are continuing to work hard to prioritise the sickest and most severely injured patients.

“We continue to work closely with all our health and social care colleagues across Lincolnshire in response to the on-going high levels of demand being experienced across the wider NHS system.

“We urge the public to play their part by calling 999 if life is at threat, and to use alternative services such as 111 online, GP, pharmacies or urgent treatment centres for other concerns. This allows us to respond to patients who need our ambulances with highly-skilled clinicians and life-saving equipment on board.”