PM in pledge to scrap tolls on Severn bridges
THERESA May has pledged to abolish tolls on the Severn Crossings.
Twenty-five million journeys are made each year and tolls will go for all vehicles. Highways England will assume responsibility for the Severn Crossings in 2018.
The Conservative leader will say: “I want to ensure that our economic progress is shared across the United Kingdom. By abolishing tolls for 25 million annual journeys between two nations we will strengthen the links between communities.
“This will drive economic growth right across the country helping key economic centres in Cardiff, Bath, Bristol and Newport. By significantly reducing the cost of doing business between Wales and England, the Conservatives continue to deliver on improving the economic prospects of ordinary working people.
“There is only one leader at this election who will put the economic prospects of all parts of the United Kingdom first. The choice next month is clear: economic stability and a better deal under my Conservative team, or chaos under Jeremy Corbyn, whose nonsensical policies would risk the economy and destroy jobs.”
Labour’s manifesto states: “We will work with the Welsh Government to scrap the tolls on the Severn Bridge.”
Conservative Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns welcomed the announcement, saying: “Scrapping the Severn Crossing tolls is an example of the Conservatives of taking the big decisions when they’re the right decisions, in doing so, transforming the joint economic prospects of South Wales and the South West of England. Drivers using this key artery between two nations, en route to London, will benefit from a £100m boost to the local area.
“Theresa May will ensure that economic prosperity is spread across the United Kingdom and this clear commitment will guarantee that links are strengthened and enhanced between the natural economic areas of South Wales and the South West of England.”