News
Boss defends cashless Tyne Tunnel toll system fines
The new toll system introduced last November at the Tyne Tunnel has come under fire, as a petition against the fines imposed reaches over 11,000 signatures.
Drivers are allowed until midnight the following day to pay their toll fee, otherwise they are issued a £60 charge.
Chief Executive at Tyne Tunnel 2, Philip Smith, defended the cashless Tyne Tunnel system in a statement to North East Updates: “We believe that the pay-by-midnight-next-day system gives people the best chance of remembering to pay.
The payment time frame was selected to minimize the number of Charge Notices that are issued, based upon advice from all the similar UK and Irish river crossings.”
Tyne Tunnel switched to the cashless system in hopes of shortening journey times, in turn helping reduce pollution.
The previous payment method involved either using cash or a bank card to pay at the toll booths.
This traditional system has been replaced so drivers now either use a pre-paid account or pay later online.
Gary Spedding launched a petition demanding that there must be changes made to the way toll charges are applied and the fines must be replaced with a more “ethical cost.”
The petition claims: “The number of errors with the new system, coupled with the massive increase in the number of people receiving fines, is simply unacceptable.
Countless individuals have come forward to relay the severe distress and financial hardship caused by the penalty fines being issued by TT2 Limited.”
If paid within 14 days, there is a half price reduction, however, for those who don’t pay within 28 days, the fines are increased to £100.
Spedding’s petition asks for all charges issued in the last 6 months prior to 1st January 2022 to be cancelled.
In order for the penalty to be more suitable for the typical working-class user of the Tyne Tunnel, the petition calls for a £20 initial fee, with the possibility of a reduction to £5.
This is coupled with a maximum £40 fine up until 42 days.
The petition also urges for the period given to pay later to change to 5 working days.
Smith added in his statement increasing the time frame to pay the initial fee may lead to people forgetting, which could affect the current non-compliance rate of 5%: “Having longer to pay also makes the process increasingly confusing and open to error for customers who make multiple or frequent journeys because it’s more difficult to keep track of how many tolls they need to pay, and by when, and for some – remember which vehicle they were driving on each journey.
Following the publics complaints, TT2 bosses attended a meeting of the North East Joint Transport Committee’s Tyne and Wear sub-committee.
Smith acknowledged that there are improvements to be made to the system, such as notifications to warn users if their account amount is low or empty.
Karen’s Diner on Tour coming to town on tour and ‘well if y’all show up in force we’ll either come as a longer term pop up or simply just stay put for a while until we’ve insulted everyone in the North East!’
Get your tickets here: Karens Diner Newcastle tickets
We have spoken to the top Karen who assures everyone who went last time that Bottomless means BOTTOMLESS!
At our pop-up Karen’s you will be greeted and waited upon by rude waiters who in return are expecting you to give it full Karen. A place where you can complain until the cows come home because we literally don’t care. You can expect good food, good fun and a dining experience like you’ve never had before. Let us know if it’s your birthday, if your name is Karen and for the love of Karen don’t ask to speak to the manager….
Your ticket includes a delicious BOTTOMLESS pizza and BOTTOMLESS prossecco or select spirits and mixers as well as select soft drinks drinks for a full 90mins
*We cater for all allergens
You will get full and authentic Karen experience – our games, our waitstaff and the full works. Decent food provided by the venue (we hope) and BOTTOMLESS booze for those who love a drink. This is a dining experience like no other – literally. Come enjoy the OG Karen’s from OG Karen’s.
Don’t accept imitations – book now to avoid missing out!
See our two below YouTube videos from the last time they were in the toon to see what to expect…
Follow our channel for more local videos…
*affiliate link – we may receive payment for sales for this event.
It looks set to be one of ITV’s biggest dramas this year and The Hunt for Raoul Moat is being brought to screen by the same people responsible for smash hit shows Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil.
It was confirmed last April that production on the series had commenced, nearly 12 years after Moat gunman shot ex girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and her new boyfriend Christopher Brown, with Brown dying from his injuries. After fleeing Samantha’s home in Birtley, Moat, who had been released from prison just days earlier, went on the run, shooting on duty policeman PC David Rathband in the face as he sat in a patrol car on the outskirts of Newcastle and leaving him blind.
From there, Moat headed for Northumberland, forcing the quiet village of Rothbury into a lockdown as police launched a frantic search for him. The hunt for Moat reached its conclusion with a tense stand-off between the killer and the police on a riverbank, with Moat eventually shooting himself and dying from his injuries as he was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital.
ITV announced three parter The Hunt for Raoul Moat almost a year ago, as filming got underway in Yorkshire, with a cast including ex Bodyguard star Matt Stokoe as Moat and Inspector George Gently actor Lee Ingeleby as police chief Neil Adamson.
ITV have yet to officially announce an release date for The Hunt for Raoul Moat, but is expected to be form part of the channel’s spring programming.
Jason Miller’s story on staying positive
Although thinking and acting positively might help you cope with cancer, it’s normal and sometimes unavoidable to feel angry and scared.
Positive thinking is frequently urged on those battling with cancer. But, it is not always simple. It might be terrifying to deal with cancer and its treatment. All effected can experience low moods and worry about the future especially how your loved ones will cope.
Being upset and scared can be a sign of courage and can show that you are ready to face an uncertain future. Nonetheless, there are occasions when it can be beneficial to make an effort to replace negative thoughts with more uplifting ones.
We sat down with Jason Miller who takes us through his journey after discovering he had an aggressive stage 4 tumor. We learn how not only the diagnosis was a sign for him to put affairs in order for his family but also how he ended up surviving through his positive outlook!
Are you or anyone else effected by the content raised in this video?
The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones.
Call free on 0808 239 06 25
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