Bridge toll sees traffic reduce by half since its introduction this week
THE amount of traffic using Darley Abbey bridge has fallen by half after a toll was put in place.
Patterns Properties has taken over ownership of the northern part of Darley Abbey Mills, which includes the bridge and mill yard.
A toll has been in force on the bridge – for the first time in two decades – since Monday.
The aim of the £1 charge was to reduce the number of vehicles using the bridge and to stop drivers using it to avoid the A38.
It is hoped that less use of the bridge will make the new workspace more attractive to business tenants.
Patterns Properties director Anthony Attwood said: "It seems to have cut down the amount of traffic using the bridge by about 50 per cent.
"If this continues, then the objective has been achieved. This toll was never supposed to be about making money but about reducing the traffic.
"I have my office near the bridge and I've been able to see the reduction, which is great."
Mr Attwood said the reaction to implementing the toll had been mixed.
He said: "One or two people have been agitated but most people have been polite.
"People were all right on the first day but I think more people had realised the situation by the second day and had accepted it.
"Quite a few people seem happy to pay the pound and that is really encouraging."
The toll booth is currently being manned from 7.30am to 10am and 3pm to 6pm on weekdays.
3 Comments
by Tony, Alvaston
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 4:26PM
“If the toll is not about "making money", will Patterns Properties donate the net receipts to charity?”
by Steve, Derby
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 12:58PM
“This is an inconvenience for customers of the businesses at Darley Mills. I visit one of the businesses on a regular basis but will now have to park (if space allows) on Darley Grove instead of in the car park at the mills. Will the Patterns Properties be prepared to waive the toll for customers of local businesses? If it's not about making money then surely this would not be a problem.”
by Godfrey, Lichfield (ex Derby)
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 12:35PM
“If the aim of the toll was to reduce traffic rather than making money why is it "really encouraging" that "some people are happy to pay the pound". What kind of double-think is this?”