The Itchen Bridge toll looks set to rise by up to 20p – despite four out of five consultation respondents opposing the idea.

The crossing fee will rise from 80p to £1 at peak times and 70p to 80p at off-peak times.

However, residents with a SmartCities Card will not face any price rises and will continue to pay 40p at peak times and 30p at off-peak times.

The price-rises will earn Southampton City Council an extra £1.72 million over the next four years – and are part of a large number of savings it has planned in this February’s budget.

A consultation saw 137 out of 169 respondents object to the proposal to increase the toll.

READ MORE: Southampton Itchen Bridge crossing toll set to increase

According to a council report: “Officers do not consider that any overriding reasons were submitted for not implementing the changes.”

The council says that it is ‘rare’ for a bridge the size of the Itchen Bridge to be solely financed by the local authority, citing the Government financing of the River Severn crossing.

The Itchen Bridge is ‘not a key strategic transport route’, so it is ‘unlikely’ this will change.

Next year, the council plans on £4.5 million of works to improve drainage, footways and safety – with some of this financed by the increased revenue from the toll hike.

The cabinet is expected to approve the proposal next Tuesday and the increase fare is expected to be in place from April 1.