Cracking investment for trolls

[DimPrawn]

Couple sell home to buy tax free toll bridge for £400,000 which will earn them £100,000 per year in fares | Mail Online

[TimberWolf]

I know a way to cross troll bridges for free. When the troll asks you whether you want to pass, ask "African or European?".

[shaunbhoy]

I know a way to cross troll bridges for free. When the troll asks you whether you want to pass, ask "African or European?".

They'll never swallow that.

[TheFaQQer]

Grahame and Penny moved in ten days ago and have seen a steady stream of around 200 cars a day crossing their bridge.

So, they only need to boost that by 150 more cars every day of the year, and they might get close to the £100k that the article mentions.

[Freamon]

Not sure how great an investment it really is.

They are seeing 200 cars a day now - if you assume that is an average then that's around £55k a year income, minus the £12k a year maintenance that the bridge needs.

They'll also need some kind of liability insurance, in case the bridge collapses and anyone is injured.

Then every 10 years or so the bridge will need something more substantial doing to it.

Plus there's the risk of storms, flooding etc.

And they have to get DfT to approve any toll increases. There has just been a very big toll hike from 50p to 80p two years ago, so DfT may be reluctant to agree any more increases for several years to come, meaning the purchasing power of their income will probably fall over the next few years.

Not sure it's as great as the Daily Mail would like us to believe.

[DimPrawn]

Not sure it's as great as the Daily Mail would like us to believe.

[AtW]

Not sure it's as great as the Daily Mail would like us to believe.

[Freamon]

Ah the emoticon echo is back.

[fullyautomatix]

Not sure it's as great as the Daily Mail would like us to believe.

[rd409]

Well look at it this way, they just purchased a house, with more than an acre of land and a bridge, which will generate income for them. Even if the income is 40K a year, equivalent taxable income would be close to £60k.
The return of 10% pa without tax, is a smart investment, and they get a cottage to live, and land to further increase their revenue, or become self sufficient is added bonus.