The Clifton Suspension Bridge is one of the highest earning toll roads in the UK, new research has revealed. Research conducted by Moneybarn Car Finance has delved into the total revenues from tolls and the cost of a full-price toll on a weekday to determine which of the nation’s toll roads generate the most income and which will be the most expensive for you to use.
The Dartford Crossing on the M25 in Essex is the top-earning toll bridge, raking in an astonishing £209 million annually. Approximately £90 million of this sum comes from drivers paying through accounts, while £45 million is contributed by those without accounts. Intriguingly, a significant portion of the bridge’s revenue, £73 million, is derived from ‘enforcement’, which translates to fines for non-payment.
Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge also features on the list, sitting in ninth spot rakes in just over £2 million per year, while the Tamar Bridge further south places sixth takes in more than £10 million per year as drivers travel between Devon and Cornwall.
Both bridges were designed by Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, although he never lived to see his creation in Bristol finished in 1864. The suspension bridge has become a shining symbol of Bristol, with visitors flocking from all over to see its spectacular views across Avon Gorge.
The M6 Toll road boasts the second-highest revenue, pulling in £53.7 million per year. The M6 Toll, the only major toll road in the country, cuts through the West Midlands. Despite the possibility of bypassing it by taking alternative routes, it appears that many are willing to fork out for the convenience, with the road earning its owners, Midland Expressway Ltd, over half a million pounds in 2020, reports the Express.
The Mersey Gateway in Cheshire, which links the towns of Runcorn and Widnes, ranks as the third highest-earning toll road, generating over £40 million between October 2020 and September 2021. The term ‘Mersey Gateway’ actually refers to two bridges: the Gateway itself and the nearby Silver Jubilee Bridge, which was constructed to alleviate pressure on the former, and has since also been converted into a toll bridge.
Research has revealed that the M6 Toll is the priciest stretch of road in the UK, charging class two vehicles (cars) £7 to use between 7am and 7pm. However, the Eurotunnel holds the title for the most expensive road in Europe. It’s the only route where you can drive your vehicle from the UK to mainland Europe, with a crossing fee of €132 (£110).
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 highest earning toll roads in the UK:
- M25, Dartford Crossing, Essex – £209,010,000.
- M6, M6 Toll, West Midlands – £53,705,000.
- A533, Mersey Gateway, Cheshire – £39,800,000.
- A15, Humber Bridge, Yorkshire – £19,765,000.
- A41/A59, Mersey Tunnels, Merseyside – £14,311,000.
- A38, Tamar Bridge, Devon – £10,736,000.
- A19, Tyne Tunnel, Tyne and Wear – £9,932,820.
- A3025, Itchen Bridge, Hampshire – £2,848,417.
- B3129, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol – £2,074,823.
- A4, Batheaston Bridge, Somerset – £1,066,000.
Interestingly, the Dartford Bridge was supposed to become free of charge, a promise made 21 years ago. The bridge, officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, was only intended to levy charges until the cost of its construction was recouped.
Tony Blair’s Labour Government even pledged to abolish the charges in February 1999, promising that Dartford Bridge fees would be eliminated by 2003. Regrettably, no plans have been made to abolish the charges.
Paul Watters of the AA Motoring Trust expressed to the BBC his lack of surprise at drivers’ distrust in governmental treatment and taxation: “It is no wonder motorists don’t trust the way they are taxed and treated by Governments. The 150,000 drivers who use the Dartford crossing each day have a right to be outraged that they will still have to pay.”