SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

The World

Discussion

The Salem News has a real-name policy for commenting. Users may sign in using the Facebook Connect tool above the comments field. Once your first comment is posted by a moderator, all future comments will post automatically. If you prefer not to use Facebook, send an e-mail with your comments user name (which must be the same as your real name), city or town, street address and daytime phone number to comments@salemnews.com. A staff member will contact you directly to confirm your identity. It may take a day or two before you can post comments. Only your user name will be public. All users are required to follow our rules for commenting, which can be found here.

comments powered by Disqus
November 18, 2009

Toll bridge over Thames up for sale in Britain

LONDON (AP) — A toll bridge built in 1769 across the River Thames will be auctioned next month, offering buyers a tax-free investment with a bit of historic charm.

The Swinford bridge brings in about 190,000 pounds (US$320,000) in toll payments from about 4 million vehicle crossings a year, and the bridge's owner can pocket all the income without paying tax.

The picturesque bridge in Oxfordshire, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of London, has a suggested price of 1.65 million pounds ($2.77 million). The property comes with a stone toll cottage and acres (hectares) of land.

Surveying company Humberts Leisure called it a "budget-beating investment."

The bridge is one of Britain's few remaining in private hands. It has been free of income tax since the 18th century, when Parliament granted ownership of the bridge and its tolls to the Earl of Abingdon and "to his heirs and assignees for ever."

The bridge is now owned by a family living nearby, surveyor Charlie Mason said.

Residents have complained that the archaic toll rules create serious traffic jams along the busy route and amount to "highway robbery." They have petitioned for the local government council to buy the bridge and scrap the tolls.

Currently car drivers must pay five pence (8 U.S. cents) to pass the bridge, while trucks pay 50 pence (80 U.S. cents).

Text Only | Photo Reprints
The World

AP Video
The Pits: Israelis Spit Olives for Glory Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal Skaters Still Hold Hope for Dutch Marathon Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Prince Harry Is Now an Apache Helicopter Pilot Tokyo Zoo Worried About Rhino on Loose Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Bosnian Man Living in a Cave Crowds Flock As Suu Kyi Campaigns in Myanmar Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Raw Video: Syria Residents Hide From Sniper Fire Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms Russian FM in Syria Amid Escalating Violence Appetite for Dickens Strong on 200th Birthday
NDN Video
Funeral to be held for Powell boys Kobe was 'rooting for Patriots' in Super Bowl Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him Wookie Sensation Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera? Sandusky makes a statement Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera? Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip Toddler forced to run half-naked in snow Halle Wants to Leave the Country Northern Lights shine above earth Plane makes perfect belly landing Kris Jenner New Face of Arousal Oils Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames Trending: Zip it! What's in Steve Jobs' FBI file? SJP Talks About Replacing Demi Moore in 'Lovelace' Over 200 dead dolphins wash ashore Lady Gaga's Battle With Bulimia