A Stirling motorist has been left fuming after being hit with fines for driving through a tunnel at the centre of a controversial toll scheme.
Helen Law, of Port Street, had been in Newcastle last May for work but later discovered that she had fallen foul of a new payment system at the Tyne Tunnel.
Operator TT2 Limited removed toll gates and introduced ‘open road tolling’ in November 2021, as a means of reducing congestion and reducing travel times under the River Tyne.
Number plate registration cameras capture vehicle details - giving drivers a limited time-window to pay their tolls.
Ms Law was fined for going through the tunnel on May 9 and May 30. She said she paid a fine, which had increased to £176.90 - only to discover there was another fine of £176.90 due for entering the tunnel.
An online petition demanding changes to the way toll charges are applied and requesting a scrapping of the current fine system has amassed more than 21,000 signatures.
Ms Law said: “I’m so disappointed this system was allowed to go-ahead in the first place, with little consideration given to incoming tourists or visitors who face hefty costs for a simple mistake.
“The scheme desperately needs to be reformed, with much clearer signage, more advertising and some common sense over the administration of fines. £300 ais a lot of money, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.”
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Stirling MP Alyn Smith has taken up the matter with the chief executive of TT2 Phil Smith.
He said: “In a cost-of-living crisis, it is clearly outrageous for one of my constituents to be hounded for over £300 worth of fines from a scheme so unpopular, over 21,000 people have signed a petition for the system to be scrapped.
“We want to encourage business and tourism between Scotland and our neighbouring cousins in the North of England, and I expect Ms Law won’t be the first or last motorist to fall foul of this ill-thought-out toll system.
In response, TT2 chief executive Philip Smith, said there were eight large temporary signs in place at the time Ms Law used the tunnel.
He said: “In addition to these signs, high visibility variable message signage boards were in place. Temporary signs detailing ways to pay were supplementary to the permanent signage in place making it clear that a toll is still due. Ms Law was correctly issued with two Unpaid Toll Charge Notices (UTCNs) for failing to pay the tolls for her journeys. Ms Law appealed the second UTCN and following an unsuccessful appeal paid the charge. The first UTCN was neither paid or appealed, despite a reminder letter and a final notice, the charge therefore followed its usual progression - in line with our process for anyone who fails to pay.”
He added that TT2 has offered to reduce her second UTCN to £31.90 as she had been working away from home during when the letters were received.
