Businessman Malcolm Scott is being admirably magnanimous about the latest proposal to buy the Humber Bridge debt and cut the tolls. He must feel imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Equally, he may well feel that what could be described as “copy-cat” bids reinforce the credibility of his original proposal.
It’s interesting that today’s (18th November) Hull Daily Mail quotes East Riding Council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby suggesting the Government will favour a private sector Humber Bridge solution. Malcolm’s “Our Humber Bridge” social enterprise bid is the only one that fits that description.
Ministers are said to be preparing a major “growth programme” to be included in the Autumn statement on 29th November. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a solution - or in the jargon phrase a “direction of travel” - on the Humber Bridge was part of that plan.
If the Government is looking for an innovative, Big Society solution, ministers will back Malcolm Scott’s proposal. If ministers prefer to play safe, they will support the Humber Bridge Board’s plan.
I simply can’t see the latest bid, from North Lincolnshire Council, being supported, partly because it has been formulated without buy-in from the other Humber local authorities.
It is also interesting that today’s Yorkshire Post suggests that Government officials have not looked favourably upon the bridge board’s plan.
It could well be that, despite competition from the two subsequent alternative proposals, Mr Scott’s plan is now a stronger proposition than when it was the only alternative to the status quo or the Government wiping out the debt entirely (which, given the state of the country’s coffers, now looks a non-runner).
Hull Daily Mail: All bridge takeover bids want the same outcome
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