Tolls on the Tamar Bridge are likely to increase by 50%.

Currently the cost is £1 each way per car and £2 for a van over 3.5 tonnes.

If permission to increase tolls is given, it would mean that the cash car toll would rise to £1.50, although those with a pre-paid TamarTag would see charges rise from 50p to 75p.

A public inquiry into the application by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee to revise tolls will begin on 13 January.

The proposed increase is needed to ensure a safe, reliable, convenient and cost-effective crossing, said the committee which manages the crossing.

The last increase was in 1994.

"If the committee is to continue to provide the service that customers expect, we need to raise all tolls by 50% as soon as possible" said joint chairman (Plymouth), Richard Ball.

"We are pleased that we have been able to keep the proposed increase in cash tolls in line with general inflation since our last application in 1994, despite our significant investment in improved services.

“Even with this rise the Tamar crossings would still be amongst the cheapest tolled estuarial crossing in the country and would also continue to offer the highest discount on pre-paid crossings. "

The Road Haulage Association has reacted angrily.

Its area manager Michael Moore, said: “There is never a good time to see a rise in tolls, but in the current economic climate, a rise of 50% is totally unacceptable.

"The fact the toll has not increased in the last 15 years is irrelevant and the timing of the increase could not have been worse.

"We would have preferred to see a modest annual increase rather than a rolled up increase at this level.”