Opposition to plans for more tolls and road charges

MOTORISTS and opposition parties are furious at the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce local road charges, which include tolls and congestion charges.

The controversial changes have been included in the Welsh Government’s strategy for transport in Wales and officials think road charges could simultaneously fund improvements in public transport and reduce the number of vehicles in the road.

The plans are one of the policies set out in the Welsh Government’s National Transport Delivery Plan 2022-2027.

Its ambition is to move more people away from using their cars by making public transport more effective and affordable, encourage people to walk or cycle, as well as bringing services and facilities closer to where people live.

Plaid Cymru however have said that the idea “punishes” the poor and ignores the need to invest in active travel while the Welsh Conservatives also criticised a previous suggestion that tolls could be imposed on drivers in Wales, calling it “utterly ridiculous”.

The Labour government’s plans have not gone down well with our online readers either. Among the more than 1,500 comments left on Facebook under the story about the charges almost everyone was opposed.

Many felt the charges would disproportionately affect poorer drivers and those living in rural areas.

Several also believed that Wales has inadequate, unreliable, and expensive public transport options so for many there is no viable alternative to driving.

Emma Mathias said: “There [will] be a lot more child poverty before long – parents won’t be able to work.”

Sarah Jane Gaffney added: “If you want to lower the cars on the road you have to provide a regular, reliable, and affordable alternative and that hasn’t been done. When the sorely lacking public transport has been overhauled then maybe but right now it’s a ridiculous idea.”

Gary Williams wrote: “People can’t afford to get to work now. Let’s charge them more! Absolutely ludicrous. Can’t change it until you sort out our infrastructure!” Meanwhile many gave their own personal accounts of struggling to find adequate public transport in Wales.

Tracey-Jayne Evans wrote: “Create a decent integrated transport system and less cars on the road will happen. As it is my husband can’t even get to work without two buses and a lot of walking. This adds nearly three hours to his working day! Use some comon sense!”

But a few didn’t totally dismiss the idea. Caz T wrote: “[Welsh Government’s] approach of reducing car dependency is a legitimate one especially around urban areas. If we reduce shortdistance commutes, which is what most car journeys are, then it allows more space for vehicles which have no choice than to be on the road.”