Pembrokeshire's Cleddau Bridge tolls scrapped after 44 years

  • Wales

Motorists are now able to cross the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire for free for the first time in 44 years.

Thousands of drivers cross the bridge every year and abolishing the charges could save regular commuters almost £300.

The Cleddau Bridge opened to traffic in 1975 linking Pembroke Dock to Burton Ferry. It's become a landmark in Pembrokeshire and a crucial part of the area's infrastructure - connecting one part of the county to the other.

The Cleddau Bridge opened to traffic in 1975 linking Pembroke Dock to Burton Ferry. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Since the early nineties charges to cross the bridge have stayed the same at 35p for a motorbike, 75p for cars and £1.50 for lorries and larger vehicles to cross the bridge.

  • 35p for motorbikes

  • 75p for cars and vans

  • £1.50 for lorries and larger vehicles

The Cleddau Bridge opened to traffic in 1975 linking Pembroke Dock to Burton Ferry. Credit: National Library of Wales

The bridge also made headlines in 1970 before it officially opened after part of the original structure collapsed killing four workmen. Five more were also injured in the disaster.

When the news to scrap the tolls was announced in November 2018, staff had expressed concern about their jobs being lost.

Of the staff employed full-time at the bridge, four have beenredeployed within the Council and eight opted for redundancy rather thanredeployment while the remainder have ongoing posts as bridge inspectors.

Arrangements for the permanent removal of the canopy and booths have been discussed and the council hope to have the area fully reconfigured by the end of August.