A SENIOR business leader says scrapping Humber Bridge tolls could transform the region's economy.
Lord Haskins, who chairs the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), has revealed the organisation is commissioning a new study examining the benefits of making the bridge toll-free.
Speaking after the Government gave the funding approval for the long-awaited £160m upgrade of Castle Street in Hull, he said: "I am delighted with what is happening with Castle Street but, sometimes, I think we get a little too hung up about congestion in this part of the world.
"If you go to Leeds and Manchester then you see real traffic congestion.
"I think the access we already here is excellent, everyone can move around pretty quickly and it's going to get even better."
The peer, who sits on the new-look Humber Bridge Board, said last year's historic move to cut tolls on the crossing was an example of what could be achieved by forward- thinking decision-making.
"Since the tolls were reduced by 50 per cent, traffic has increased by 18 per cent. That's an incredible figure.
"My view is that over time, there could be a case for removing toll charges altogether.
"I've asked the LEP to look at the economic benefits of doing this because I suspect it would pay for itself handsomely. The economic gains would be substantial."
He said investment in Castle Street could just be the start of an economic boom for the area with the Government yesterday releasing its draft pricing structure for offshore wind energy suppliers.
That move is expected to be the trigger for Siemens to make a final investment decision on its proposed £80m turbine assembly plant in Hull.
Lord Haskins also revealed some of the new £102m of European funding announced for the Humber LEP yesterday could be used to help fund plans to electrify the rail line between Hull and Selby.
He said: "I am meeting with Hull Trains about this on Monday.
"They have already announced their own proposals to fund the electrification of the line and I believe it could happen sooner rather than later, certainly before the remainder of the line between Leeds and Manchester.
"From an engineering point of view, it's a relatively straightforward job compared with the line between Leeds and Manchester because that has a number of tunnels along it."
The European funding will be spread over a six-year period.
Lord Haskins said the money would be spent on skills and training initiatives as well as infrastructure schemes because of the need to equip people with the right qualifications to work in the emerging renewable energy industries in the region.
"The skills agenda is a massive challenge for us but I think we can get there," he said.
A new two-month public consultation on the Castle Street plans started yesterday.
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