Bolton Council could object in the “strongest possible terms” to a Reform-led council’s proposals to introduce tolls on the M65. Last week Cllr Shafaqat Shaikh raised the question as to whether Bolton will oppose Lancashire County Council’s plans to introduce tolling on the M65 at a full council meeting, says Bolton News.

The plans were first proposed by Lancashire’s Cllr Joel Tetlow, who proposed using the funds generated to pay for upkeep and maintenance.

Cllr Shaikh said:

“At a recent meeting of Reform-UK controlled Lancashire County Council, Accrington Reform UK Councillor Joel Tetlow proposed introducing a toll on the M65 to pay for repairs.

“Can the Executive Cabinet Member reassure Council that Bolton Council will object to Lancashire Reform UK’s proposals for a toll on the M65 in the strongest terms and that a Labour-led Bolton Council will never consider tolls on local roads in the way that Reform UK have revealed they are doing?”

The controversial proposal to charge motorists to drive on the key motorway envisioned motorists paying anywhere from 50p to £1.50 to pass a stretch of the motorway near Burnley.

Cllr Nadeem Ayub responded: “For the record, this proposal is not something I, or the Labour Council, support. This is not a hypothetical situation – Lancashire County Council could theoretically start the process of implementing this.

“If Reform-led Lancashire County Council make any attempt to do this, Bolton Council would have the opportunity to object.

“I can assure all members of the Council that if the Reform-led Lancashire County Council go ahead with these plans, I, representing Bolton Council, will object in the strongest possible terms.

“It is not something that this Labour-led council has ever considered for ourselves, so our position remains firm on this.”

(Picture: Mapillary)