Motorists who are struggling to afford a Tyne Tunnel fine could qualify for a hardship fund.
The fund aims to help drivers access free financial advice, or sometimes the cancellation of fines, if they find themselves unable to pay. The hardship fund was launched in April 2022 to offer support to motorists.
Towards the end of 2021, the crossing was switched from traditional toll booths to a cashless 'free flow' model. It means that drivers no longer pay at the tunnel using cash or card, instead, they are required to use a pre-paid account or pay online afterwards.
Read more: 55 years of the Tyne Tunnel - 10 photographs recall its early days in the 1960s
However, the model was criticised after drivers complained of errors in the system that issued incorrect penalties. Earlier in the year, councillors revealed that the hardship fund would be put in place to help those issued with fines.
How much is the fine for using the Tyne Tunnel?
Fines, or Unpaid Toll Charge Notices (UTCN), are issued to drivers who have failed to pay the required toll by midnight the day after your journey. Under the new system, motorists must pay for their crossing online instead of using cash or a card on their arrival at the tunnel.
The Tyne Tunnel website says: "If Tyne Tunnels doesn’t receive your toll payment before the deadline stated, we will contact the DVLA to request the name and address of the registered keeper of the vehicle. The UTCN will then be issued to the contact provided."
Fines will then increase depending on how long it takes to pay. Initially, the cost of the fine is £60 plus the toll amount, though this is reduced to £30 plus the toll amount if paid within the first 14 days after the UTCN is issued.
After 14 days the discount is removed and the fine remains at the £60 plus toll amount for a further 14 days. If payments aren't received after 28 days, on the 29th day the total penalty will increase again, this time to £100 plus the toll charge and the case will be passed to a third-party debt collection agency.
Once the fine is passed to an agency, there is the potential for further administrative charges to be added, increasing the total fine.
Can you appeal a fine for the Tyne Tunnel?
If you are issued a UTCN and believe it is in error, then you are entitled to appeal. When you do appeal, the timer on your fine is paused until an outcome is reached.
Each case will be managed on an individual basis to identify customer circumstances, vulnerability issues and any other factors which may have impacted the situation. You can appeal directly to TT2 via their website or by post.
What is the Tyne Tunnel hardship fund?
The fund is designed to help those who are in financial hardship. TT2 works with independent debt advice experts PayPlan who work directly to support individuals.
PayPlan advice is based on personal circumstances and motorists may be entitled to debt management support, money advice or even the cancellation of fines.
PayPlan will offer free financial advice to anyone who finds themselves struggling. Drivers are advised to call TT2 on 0191 574 0031, where an agent will help to refer you for free financial advice.
You will be afforded up to 30 days breathing space from any payments as a one-off agreement. This breathing space will be stopped when TT2 hear back from PayPlan regarding your circumstances.
If you are still unsure whether to use the service and are struggling to afford to pay a fine, the advice is to call TT2 and an agent can discuss the options available with you.
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