LIVERPOOL'S 90 city councillors have been asked to back a campaign for cheaper travel through the Mersey tunnels. The Mersey Tunnels Users Association have drawn up a "wish list" in an attempt to secure free or cheaper travel between Liverpool and Wirral. It follows The Mersey Tunnels Act 2004 which allowed Merseytravel to increase tolls and spend the money on non-tunnels purposes, with a proposed increase of 20p for cars each way from next April. The association has now embarked on a drive to win backing from as many of Liverpool's councillors as possible, saying it has already won support from council leader Mike Storey. Association secretary John McGoldrick has told councillors: "In our view, tolls are particularly bad for the people and businesses of Liverpool and Wirral. "We have now put forward a proposal for radical changes to tunnels tolls. It has the backing of some of the local MPs and various organisations." The Mersey Tunnels Users Association was set up by a group of Merseysiders who opposed the Mersey Tunnels Bill and toll increases. They have demanded that a potential 20p increase from next April, taking the charge to £1.40, should not go ahead. Off-peak tolls should be reduced to half the normal charge, Sundays should be completely free and buses should be free at all times, they say. Mr McGoldrick added: "The cost of the first three proposals would come out of the tunnels budget. The no charge for buses would come out of the Public Transport budget." Cllr Storey said: "We want to encourage people to travel between Liverpool and Wirral and support this campaign. People who need to use their cars for work and travel across the Mersey are being penalised. "It was a mistake to allow the levels to be set by Merseytravel who are not independent. Any toll rise should be reasonable and in line with inflation." Labour leader Joe Anderson said: "The Labour group strongly back the campaign for cheaper travel between Liverpool and Wirral and councillors will support these calls." Merseytravel was unavailable for comment last night. | 
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