A HULL businessman's radical plans to buy the Humber Bridge and cut the tolls to as little as �1 have moved a step closer.
Former Hull And Humber Chamber Of Commerce president Malcolm Scott has presented his ambitious plans to officials from the Treasury and the Department for Transport (DfT).
Mr Scott, who runs his own commercial property firm, said: "I will bring forward a progress report in the near future."
If his proposal is agreed, it would remove the bridge's long-standing debt problem, while slashing toll charges.
The plan involves setting up a new-look bridge management body to buy the current �350 million debt off the Government for �100 million.
Current toll charges would then be frozen until the loan is repaid, taking roughly eight years.
The tolls would then be slashed to a nominal sum of �1, or even less.
The proposals have already been submitted to the Treasury as part of its current review of toll charges at the bridge.
Local authority leaders and MPs have also expressed initial support.
Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson has given his backing to the plan.
The Labour MP said: "I am pleased that Malcolm Scott's proposal is being treated seriously by Government as part of the Humber Bridge Review.
"It is an imaginative and innovative solution which, so far, has passed close scrutiny by all those who have an interest in resolving this issue."
A spokesman for the DfT confirmed a meeting has taken place with Mr Scott.
He said: "The meeting was an opportunity for Mr Scott to present his proposal to the DfT and Treasury as a contributor to the ongoing review."
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