Cllr Mark A Kirk

The closing date for comments about how the cost of Humber Bridge tolls have affected you, your family and friends, or your business is tomorrow night and I would urge as many people as possible to have their say before the deadline.

You have until the end of Thursday to send in your responses. With another increase in the pipeline making the cost of a return trip across the bridge around £6, it's vital as many people as possible have their say. Colin Buchanan and Partners - the consultancy carrying out the research project on the tolls - is keen to hear from as wide a cross section of residents and businesses on both banks of the Humber as possible.

Email your story to: humberbridge@cbuchanan.co.uk before the end of 31 July 2008. All responses will be treated as confidential. You can also write to the consultancy at the following address:

Humber Bridge
Colin Buchanan
Newcombe House
45 Notting Hill Gate
London
W11 3PB

We have been fighting to remove or reduce the toll crossing and if the Government is to take our concerns seriously we must have enough evidence to back up our claims. Maybe you use the bridge to visit north bank hospitals, or to study, or for work. Whatever the reason, let the consultancy have your story. The findings of the research will be made public in September.

After reading a couple of letters in the local press I am pleased to clarify the situation regarding the Baths Hall. The frontage of the Baths Hall will not be touched as part of the development of a new entertainment centre.  The Labour group was elected to lead North Lincolnshire Council based on a manifesto that would provide a new venue for the area.  Having looked at the condition the Baths Hall is currently in, and based on the wants and needs of local people, a lick of paint and some new wallpaper is not the answer.  If we are to attract top quality acts we need a venue which is fit for purpose - we cannot, and should not, live in the shadow of other towns and cities.

The frontage of the Baths Hall will remain as it is now. For many people, including myself, the Baths holds some great memories and it is important we recognise the impact it has had on our heritage. But we must not live in the past. Buildings at the back of the current site will be flattened and a larger, more modern facility will be built to cater for up to 2,000 people. The ‘new' Baths Hall will be multi-purpose and fit for the 21^st Century.  Work is progressing behind-the-scenes and in the near future demolition work will begin to remove the parts of the Baths no longer needed. I look forward to keeping residents informed as we progress.