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Fresh calls to scrap Severn Bridge tolls

Calls are being made to scrap the toll charge on the Severn Bridge crossing. From today cars will have to pay £6.50.

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Calls to scrap Severn crossing tolls as prices increase

The annual cost of running the bridges is £15 million Credit: PA

There are fresh calls today to scrap the Severn Bridge and Second Severn Crossing tolls, as prices increase.

From today, cars crossing the bridge will have to pay £6.50, an increase of 10p.

Small buses and white goods vehicles face a 30p rise to £13.10, and heavy goods vehicles and buses will have to pay £19.60, up from the previous £19.20.

Severn River Crossing PLC said the prices are amended at the start of each year to ensure they are in line with the Retail Price Index.

But Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Jenny Willott, said the economy in South Wales would benefit by £107 million a year if tolls were scrapped.

Motorway tolls are not prevalent across the United Kingdom. So why on earth should people be forced to pay a tax to enter Wales?

Not only would scrapping the tolls boost Wales' economy, but it would save the average commuter over £1,535 a year. This policy is an important step along the way to helping build a stronger economy, and also a fairer society.

– Jenny Willott MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central

A debate on scrapping the tolls was held in the National Assembly on 11th November, where Labour, the Conservatives and Plaid all voted against scrapping the tolls.

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