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To: All UK Members of Parliament

Halt Sharp Practice by Tyne Tunnel Operator TT2

Dear Member of Parliament

Along with tens and tens of thousands of other perfectly law-abiding users of the Tyne Tunnel, I recently received notice of a fine for 'late' payment of the due toll fee. Like them, I was perfectly willing to pay the due fee, yet was unable to do so within their absurdly short 24-hour 'payment window'.

That's why I'm adding my name to this petition. I want government and Parliament to recognise that there are very serious 'sharp practices' being implemented by the Tyne Tunnel operator (TT2 Ltd). These practices are causing a great deal of totally unnecessary distress and collossal expense to tens of thousands of people, not to mention enormous reputational damage to the Northeast region as far as tourism is concerned.

To be clear, this petition is NOT about anyone trying to avoid paying the toll; quite the opposite. We merely wish to raise Parliament's awareness of the failures deliberately-inherent in the Tyne Tunnel system that end up PREVENTING payments being made, and to have something done about it.

To explain:

Firstly, mainly for cost-cutting reasons, there are now no options whatsoever to pay the toll fee - in cash or by card - at the Tyne Tunnel because all the toll booths have been removed. This means users are now being FORCED to use online electronic payments instead of old-fashioned legal tender (that alone is discriminatory; especially to the elderly or disabled, who often find the so-called 'cashless' society deeply problematic).

Secondly, unless road users have the TT2 'app' - which only makes sense for local / regular users to download - this means NON-local Tyne Tunnel users are effectively FORCED to carry a smartphone 24/7 if they want to drive through.

Thirdly, if users don't carry such a device, or don't own one, or if it's unservicable, then there is currently no way for people to make a SECURE payment of the toll fee. Many people are justifiably unhappy using such insecure devices to make online payments whilst away from home. Again discriminatory.

Fourthly, as we write, there is currently no adequate signage at the TT site. There are no adequate (or permanent) signs making clear that this '24-hour payment window' is applicable. Therefore, many non-local users of the tunnel will have no clue that such a short payment period even exists. First-time users certainly won't.

Fifthly, the site is currently (as of late 2021/ early 2022) very confusing as far as roadworks are concerned. There are traffic cones and temporary signs all over the place, making driving through the tunnels challenging enough, regardless of then asking drivers to absorb information about online payment systems. Even if there was clear signage, no-one can SAFELY record such web addresses or telephone numbers whilst driving can they?

Most users will of course be aware that a fee is due. But that does NOT mean they are aware of the payment options, let alone that they have just 24 hours to pay it. In that 24 hours, not everyone has the chance to access the Internet, look up the TT2 website, and pay with a SECURE device such as a laptop or PC. That is why people need to be given enough time to access a SECURE internet connection, and pay the fee SECURELY once they have had a chance to return from whatever journey they've undertaken.

There is zero justification for this 24 hour period. TT2 are not strapped for cash, and they have ANPR systems in place to record number plates anyway, so users cannot possibly avoid paying the due fee in the long run. That's why this 'payment window' should be recognised for what it is; deliberate sharp practice put in place purely to extract punitive and wholly unwarranted fines for maximum profit.

Lastly, unlike with the Dartford Crossing and Mersey Crossings and tunnels, there is no INDEPENDENT appeals process available to those who have paid within a perfectly reasonable timeframe in this way, or who wish to dispute a given fine. This effectively leaves the Tyne Tunnels operator (TT2 Ltd) to 'mark its own homework' as far as disputed fines are concerned. How can all this possibly be considered a fair or reasonable situation?

That is why we now urge MP's, the government and Parliament to step in. We'd like to see the following:

1) That TT2 be required by LAW to extend their UNFAIR 24-hour 'payment window' to a FAIR time period (ideally up to 30 calendar days to allow for holidays, family emergencies and any other genuinely mitigating circumstances).

2) That Parliament ensure by LAW that there is an INDEPENDENT appeals process for disputes with TT2 Ltd's fines.

3) That TT2's performance be regularly and independently monitored as remaining 'fit for purpose'. And where failures are identified, that there be suitable sanctions available, up-to-and-including a full judicial review of its entire operating contract with the Northeast Combined Authority (NECA).

Thank you

[SIGNED]

Why is this important?

If you have received a fine for 'late payment' of a toll fee at the Tyne Tunnel, and wish to see their sharp practices on toll fees stopped, please SIGN and SHARE this petition...

United Kingdom

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Updates

2022-01-04 17:59:01 +0000

https://mailchi.mp/27d211bee0f9/letter-to-uk-mps-re-halting-sharp-practice-by-tyne-tunnel-operator-tt2-ltd

2022-01-04 09:40:08 +0000

1,000 signatures reached

2022-01-03 07:26:09 +0000

500 signatures reached

2022-01-02 11:18:47 +0000

100 signatures reached

2022-01-02 10:31:11 +0000

50 signatures reached

2022-01-02 10:14:36 +0000

25 signatures reached

2022-01-02 10:02:45 +0000

10 signatures reached