Because of the innovative funding mechanism developed to pay for the construction of the second vehicle tunnel it has been possible to keep tolls for cars at the lower end of the spectrum presented to the Public Inquiry in 2003.

When both tunnels are fully operational, car drivers will pay only £1.60 each way (£1.44 if they buy a pre-paid permit). After inflation that is about the equivalent of the 12.5p they paid when the existing tunnel opened 40 years ago.

Tolls for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will rise to £3.20 in 2014 and will remain at twice the level for cars.

Buses, taxis and motorcycles will be toll-free.

Increases in tolls beyond 2014 will be linked to inflation unless major works are required in the tunnels, for example to meet the requirements of any new safety legislation.

The current (2007) tolls of £1.10 for cars and £1.50 for heavy goods vehicles will rise on 1 January 2008 to £1.20 for cars with no increase for HGVs.

The table below shows how the toll increases will be staged.

* subject to completion date of New Tyne Crossing and once all facilities are available to traffic.
A Prepaid Permit Tolling System allows cashless toll payment the Tyne Tunnel toll. It allows speedy passage through the tolls plaza and gives a 10% discount. For permit information contact: www.tynetunnels.info