A GOVERNMENT-appointed inspector has sided with the owners of a 230-year-old North Yorkshire bridge following a public inquiry into their bid to increase toll charges.

Car drivers will see the cost of crossing the privately-run Aldwark Bridge over the River Ure more than double from 15p to 40p.

Light vehicles such as a car with caravan or small bus and goods vehicles up to 3.5tonnes will also pay 40p - the current charge is 30p. Vehicles between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes will be charged £1 - up 20p.

The decision follows a public inquiry, with the inspector Colin Tyrrell's recommendation to approve the proposed toll charges winning support from the Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling.

Mr Tyrrell recognised the hike "would fall heavily" on some, but said the company would struggle without it.

David Hardy, representing Aldwark Bridge Ltd, had told the inquiry they needed to raise the charges to meet operating and maintenance costs.

Even with the proposed new tolls, the inquiry heard that net losses in 2012 would be £15,781, and the company would still owe £329,355 to the directors, with no dividends having been paid. Cash at the bank would increase to £393,758, including funds for major works.

Mr Tyrrell noted that if directors withdrew their support, the company would become insolvent, presenting "a much more serious threat to the community than the proposed increase".

"Given that the cost to a motorist of using one of the diversion routes is very much greater than the toll cost, the bridge is a significant asset to the community."

Linton-On-Ouse Parish Council lodged one of 23 objections to the increases, arguing they greatly exceeded inflation.

Derrick Jauncey, the chairman, today expressed "extreme disappointment" at the decision. He said campaigners would closely monitor the company's future maintenance work and accounts to see if they profit from the toll rises.

The bridge is used for work, educational, shopping and leisure trips and by agricultural and other businesses, and the nearby RAF base.

Campaigners highlighted the long detours if the bridge was not available, and blasted the system of a privately-owned bridge as archaic, calling for central or local government to take over the crossing.

Mr Tyrrell accepted there was currently no prospect of the local highway authority taking over the bridge, and financial support from local or central government was unlikely.

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, August 09, 2005