25 JUNE 1948, Page 5

Every motorist will welcome the recommendation of the Minister of

Transport's Ferries Committee that of the 44 vehicular ferries now in use in Britain the 39 which levy tolls should in future be free. The proposal is strictly logical. A ferry takes the place of a bridge or a tunnel, and to construct either of these would cost much more than the sum needed to acquire the ferry rights. In some cases, as between North and South Shields, a tunnel is projected, and when built it will no doubt be free ; meanwhile, it is fair to make the ferry free too. The improvements suggested at Queensferry, by the Forth Bridge, and at Torpoint, where all traffic from South Devon to Cornwall must cross the Tamar, will be of peculiar value. Mr. Barnes should give all this the highest priority he can.