Yesterday should have seen the closure of the deadline for the members of the public to submit their objections to the proposal by the Humber Bridge Board to increase the toll charges. However, following pressure applied by the local council, the government has agreed to continue to receive comments and objections after the deadline. Mark Kirk, leader of the council said that the Bridge Board had failed to publicise the toll increase to the public clearly enough and subsequently government ministers should extend the deadline for public comments to reflect this. 5 local North Lincolnshire councillors sit on the bridge board, they are Tories Keith Vickers (Vice Chair) and Councillor David Wells, along with Labour Councillors Mashook Ali, Tony Gosling and Allan Smith. It was reported on the 15th October when the new toll was proposed that the only councillor to vote in favour of this was Tory Keith Vickers; he defended his position by stating that it had been previously agreed that tolls should rise once every 2 years. This defence of his voting position is some what confusing, as tolls have not risen once every two years as he claims is the legal requirement, so Cllr Vickers logic behind voting to increase the financial burden of commuters and businesses in North Lincolnshire does seem to be questionable. You can email the department for transport at the following address : neil.grant@dft.gsi.gov.uk and you should also include a copy to the legal services department at Hull City Council care of sonia.belfield@hullcc.gov.uk