Residents are furious at having to pay 12p to cross a bridge that is the only way in and out of their village.
The crossing has been in place for more than 125 years in Warburton, Greater Manchester, as locals say queues to pay the fee cause nightmare traffic.
Furthermore, drivers use the bridge as a cut-through when there are incidents on the motorway - causing more chaos.
It is the only route across the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal between the M6 and M60 motorways - and thousands make the journey each day.
The 12p can only be paid in cash and by hand, but controversial plans could see the fee raised for the first time since 1890.
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The proposed new price of £1 is part of a £6.5million plan to upgrade approach roads, footpaths and the tolling system by Peel Ports, which owns and operates the bridge.
Steve Ellis, who lives in nearby Church Green, told Manchester Evening News : "The bridge is a nightmare. When the motorway has a problem, everyone tries to cut through.
"They don't upkeep it. If you drive over the bridge there's that many potholes you wouldn't believe it."
If the plans are approved there will be a 50 per cent discount for nearby residents, but many say the charges should be scrapped altogether.
Mr Ellis adds: "I drive over the bridge at least once a day. If they put it up to a quid, it's going to cost me £4 or £5 a day. It all mounts up.
"They say they can't afford to upkeep it but the turnover of that bridge must be in the millions."
The village of Warbuton is home to about 300 people and many residents say they get caught up in huge tailbacks as motorists queue to hand over their pennies.
Syd Rasheed said the number of cars passing through Warburton has 'trebled' in the 26 years he has lived there.
"The bridge causes all sorts of traffic problems," he explained. "At rush hour, it backs up right the way towards Lymm.
"I can drive from Manchester to the edge of the village for 20 minutes then it takes another 20 minutes to get home because of all the traffic.
"The air pollution from the standing traffic is an issue too. The village itself is lovely and it's a nice little community. We are quite tucked away here, it's just the toll bridge and the traffic."
Mr Rasheed described the proposed 700 per cent price hike as 'unfair' and said he supported a campaign by the Warburton Toll Bridge Action Group to get rid of the charges altogether.
He said: "We put up with all the inconvenience of the traffic and now we are going to be slapped with higher rates.
"It's £40 a month for people that are working. It's not affordable and it's coming at a time when people are struggling. This is not a wealthy village."
At one stage, locals became so fed up with the chaos they paid the fee themselves in one go. Each week, they would hand over £120 to speed up the crossing over the privately-owned bridge.
The traffic has even prompted the local bus operator to cut services around the area.
However, some residents aren't as bothered by the bridge.
Paddy Ruth, who moved to the village about a year ago, said: "It's lovely and quiet here and the people are great. I love it round here, it's just the quirkiness of the place."
He added: "At certain times of the day, it is quite noisy. People can be quite rude on the bridge because they haven't got 12p to spare."
A spokesperson for Peel Ports told the Mirror: “A 7-day Public Inquiry took place in November 2022 at which MSCC presented the benefits of their Sustainable Investment Plan and Warrington and Trafford Councils and other interested parties were able to articulate the basis of their objections. We await the decision upon the TWAO (Transport and Works Act Order) by the Secretary of State for Transport in terms of the next steps.
"The feedback we have received following our non-statutory consultation shows that upgrades to modernise the facilities, maintain the bridge and reduce travel times are needed and very much welcomed.
“The toll is the best way to fund these much-needed improvements and the current 12p fee has not changed since 1863, and which had to incorporate the introduction of a VAT liability. Users of the bridge deserve facilities fit for the 21st Century which will ultimately ease congestion, reduce tailbacks and improve the general flow of traffic in the area.
“The current toll is one of the lowest in England and will not fund the capital investment needed to support the maintenance and modernising of the facilities motorists are in favour of.”
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