Potential for 'huge cut in tolls' when Severn Bridges handed back in 2017 says MP

The Severn Bridge crossings could revert to public ownership as early as autumn 2017 says Welsh MP who claims there will be scope for "a huge cut in tolls".

Monmouth MP David Davies says the M48 Severn Bridge and M4 Second Severn Crossing could come back into public ownership as early as November 2017 - several months earlier than planned, once the debt from construction costs has been paid to Severn River Crossing Plc.

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Once the bridges are under government ownership 20 per cent VAT no longer needs to be applied to the tolls and could be removed.

However Mr Davies says reduced tolls could see an increase in traffic levels and leading to big queues on the toll plaza. That could be overcome withthe introduction of an electronic pre-pay system similar to the one used for the London congestion charge.

The Welsh Affairs Committee, he says is likely to “want to look further into this” and will be pressing the government for the latest estimate of the handover date, Mr Davies confirmed.