TOLLS on the Humber Bridge are to rise by 30p after the Government gave its approval for the increase.

The bridge’s board had applied to the Department for Transport for the 11 per cent rise to be introduced in order to pay back its £330 million debt.

The planning inspectorate recommended the increase following a three-day public inquiry, and tolls will now go up from £2.70 per crossing to £3. The board had said that, if the rise was not given the go-ahead, it would miss its debt repayments by £2.2 million this year.

A report compiled by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and its sister authorities in Hull, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire had found abolishing tolls would boost their combined economies by £1 billion over 25 years.