Why are fees charged?

The UK has a tradition of privately financed toll roads and bridges of at least 200 years. Many bridges were built by local people, to benefit their community, and long-distance roads or turnpikes were run by trusts. They were non-profit making, and tolls were charged to finance construction and maintenance. In the early 20th Century most roads ceased to be tolled; except for a handful of historic bridges – Whitney-on-Wye Toll Bridge being one of approximately eight remaining in private ownership. All the toll fees have been granted as being tax free in order to maintain and sustain Whitney Bridge in perpetuity for the benefit of the wider community. This means the entire toll fee of £1 for motor vehicles is used to maintain and manage Whitney Bridge with none going to national or local Governments. Whitney Bridge does not receive any help financially from Hereford Council or His Majesty's National Government to maintain, insure and operate the Bridge.

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Since 2018 when the current owner took control of the Bridge, the annual insurance of the Bridge alone has increased over five fold and is excess of £20K per year.  Raw materials for building soared during the C19 pandemic and whilst they have reduced, some remain 3 times the price they were in early 2019.  All these costs have been borne by the current owners, and they have not sought to have a revision of tolls which was last done 9 years ago in 2015. 

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ACT OF PARLIAMENT 

In 1780 an enabling Act of Parliament was passed in order for Whitney Bridge at Whitney-on-Wye to be built. The main feature of the Act is the right to charge a toll to cross the bridge. The Act also provides guidance as to how and why Whitney Bridge and Toll House were to be built. In 1797 a further Act to amend the 1780 Act was also passed which included guidance over design of build, toll charge frequency and Toll House variance. The final 1797 Act did not supersede the 1774 Act; it merely provided additional features. 

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The Act of 1797 makes provision as to how the tolls are to be operated: 

 

 

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The Act states that each vehicle crossing is to pay just once a day and can cross as many times between midnight to midnight. 

 The current automated system provides the driver with a non-transferable ticket for that vehicle only. That vehicle may pass through the barrier without further charge until 23:59 on that same day. 

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DAILY CROSSING TICKET

Daily crossing rates are set in accordance with the Act of 1780 and the rates are approved by the Secretary of State for Transport. The last revision of toll fees was in 2015 under Statutory Instrument 2015 No. 1404 HIGHWAYS, ENGLAND, the Whitney-on-Wye Bridge (Revision of Tolls) Order 2015 which can be viewed online at www.legislation.gov.uk

 

 

 

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Payment

Payment is made immediately after crossing from the Clifford side of the Toll Bridge at the Automated Booth on the drivers side of the vehicle. Payment is required before crossing the Bridge from the Hereford / Brecon side. Payment is made at the Automated Booth on the drivers side just before the barrier.

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Electronic Payment

Payment may also be made electronically, either with Chip & Pin, or by Contactless (card or electronic device).

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Coin Payment

The toll crossing is automated, with the machine accepting 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 & £2 coins. There is no facility to give change and once the value of at least £1 is entered, the barrier is raised.

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A a non-transferrable Ticket Receipt is Issued 

Once a payment has been received a printed receipt ticket is issued which drops in the tray underneath the touchscreen. Customers should retain this receipt ticket if they wish to cross again during the same day. Failure to retain a ticket will require a new purchase of a receipt ticket.

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Passing the Barrier

Once a vehicle has passed through, the barrier automatically lowers. 

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Recrossing

Once a vehicle with a ticket receipt has passed through the barrier, all subsequent trips are not charged for that vehicle. To open the barrier a receipt ticket will need to be inserted face up in the slot 6 inches below the Chip and Pin device. Make sure the Barcode is facing upwards and closest to the machine. When inserted correctly the reader will beep. Remove the ticket and the barrier will open. Retain your ticket.

 

AUTHORISED SERVICE VEHICLES

Whitney Bridge allows free crossings for all Police vehicles, Fire engines, NHS Ambulances, Other official Emergency Service Vehicles. We also provide access for uniformed NHS district Staff with official NHS ID and for on duty and British Military vehicles.

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REGULAR USERS

Under the Act that covers the charging for tolls there is no requirements to offer any discounts. However the current Whitney Toll Bridge owners have continued what has been previously offered for the local community. For those Toll Bridge Users who are frequent users we offer two options season passes or Bulk Crossing tickets to reduce your daily travel cost.

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SEASON PASSES

As of 31st May 2024 we will no longer offer season passses UNLESS you live or work in either Clifford or Whitney-on-Wye. We will continue to honor existing Season Passes as long as they continue to be fully paid by their due date. Lapsing seasons passes will not be renewed unless the vehicle is registered at an address in Clifford or Whitney-on-Wye or a person driving a vehicle is employed in Clifford or Whitney-on-Wye. Please complete this application for a season pass. For all other regular Bridge users please considering purchasing a Bulk Crossing ticket.

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BULK CROSSING TICKET (formerly known as tokens) with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).

For regular bridge users, Bulk Crossing Tickets are available to buy in advance. These Bulk Crossing Tickets can be bought on the Toll Booth Automated Machine that is on the Hereford side and from the screen that faces the Toll Bridge Cottage, not the one for drivers. Top up of a Bulk Crossing Ticket can done from any of the Toll Booth Machines. 

When purchasing a Bulk Crossing Ticket you will need to enter the correct Vehicle Registration Plate details for the ANPR to work. Not entering or entering the wrong details will mean you will need to use your ticket manually. If you make a mistake you can correct it at the Toll Bridge Office during their opening hours. 

 

As of the 01 JUNE  2024 - Bulk Crossing Ticket users will need to provide a mobile number and an email address when they first purchase their bulk crossing tickets. This is so we contact you if there are issues with Bridge or if your crossings are at a low level. If you do not wish to provide this information then unfortunately we can not provide you with a discounted crossing. 

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From Tuesday 07th May 2024  the automated Toll Booth offers two types of Bulk Crossing Tickets

10 Crossings costs £7.00 (£0.70 per daily crossing)

25 Crossings costs £17.50 (£0.70 per daily crossing)

50 Crossings costs £32.50 (£0.65 per daily crossing)

75 Crossings costs £47.25 (£0.63 per crossing)

100 Crossings cost £60.00 (£0.60 per crossing)

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KEEP YOUR TICKET IN YOUR VEHICLE

A Bulk Crossing Ticket will be issued from the Automated Toll Booth. You will need to keep this should you arrive and the ANPR fails to lift the barrier. Insert the tickets as per the instructions above.

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*ADDITIONAL VEHICLES AND BULK TICKETS 

Any additional vehicles using a Bulk Crossing Ticket that are not the registered vehicle will have one crossing deducted from the bulk and on presentation of the ticket can cross as many times they wish up until 23:59 on the same day. This is handy to give to your guests if they need to cross the Bridge at Whitney.

 

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Later in 2024 we will be updating how our bulk crossing tickets work.

 

Firstly, we are conscious of the fact that each of these tickets are paper and we as a family are actively finding way to be more environmentally friendly, so we would like to remove the need for paper products.

 

Secondly because they are thermal printed tickets they fade, especially in the warmer months, which means that if the barrier does not work and your ticket is faded you won't be able to open the barrier.

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Fobs and Cards

We will be moving our multi ticket customers to a key fob or card. This will alleviate the need for paper tickets. These will be approximately £5-£10 each (or to replace if lost).  However, they should last a life time.  If  you move and no longer need the fob/card as long as it is working and not damaged will refund what you paid, and refund tokens at price you paid, less a small admin fee. 

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Online Access

You will also be able to access your information online to find your balance of 'crossings' available. You will also be able to update your vehicle registrations, add household members even yours guests. 

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Oopsy - lost my fob

We have those moments. Jump online and deactivate that fob. Anyone who finds it and trie3s to use it won't be able to so your credit will be safe. If someone was silly enough to use it, we will know, as their vehicle registration won't be on your account, so with cctv evidence the constabulary will be paying them a visit! 

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We are the processing of making this happen and we will give plenty of advanced warning. 

 

USING THE WHITNEY TOLL BRIDGE AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Use of the The Toll Bridge at Whitney-on-Wye can only be done so in accordance with The Whitney Toll Bridge Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions cover any and all Toll Bridge users, be they; pedestrian, equine and riders, farm animals and drovers, cycle, motorcycle, motor vehicle of any description.

 

PENALTIES 

A list of penalties relating to the Whitney Toll Bridge can be found on this page.