A PUBLIC inquiry will begin next month to hear the case for and against a 20p price rise proposed for vehicles using the Tyne Tunnel.

The inquiry was called after 119 groups and individual motorists lodged objections to the new toll figures suggested for the tunnel.

Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA) wants to add 20p to the existing charges of 80p for cars and £1 for heavy goods vehicles, to be implemented in September.

The public inquiry will allow objectors to put counter arguments against the proposal.

A PTA spokeswoman said that, had the toll risen in line with inflation in recent years the charges would now be £1.40 for cars and more than £2 for lorries and other HGVs.

The inquiry opens at Newcastle Civic Centre on Tuesday, April 3