HISTORIC DATE SET FOR END OF SEVERN TOLLS
TOLLS on the two Severn bridges will be scrapped in time for Christmas, Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns has confirmed.
Addressing the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Birmingham, Mr Cairns said tolls on the two motorway bridges linking Wales and England will be abolished on December 17, in a move which he described as being an “early Christmas present.”
The bridges currently carry some 25 million motorists a year.
The date is slightly ahead of schedule. Mr Cairns announced last year that tolls would be scrapped by the end of this year, which would have meant December 31.
The move will end 50 years of tolls since the first Severn Bridge opened, which was followed by the Second Severn Crossing, recently named the Prince of Wales Bridge, in 1996.
The move will save commuters using the bridges daily up to £1,400 a year in tolls.
In January tolls were reduced to £5.60 for motorists and for large lorries and coaches to £16.70.
Mr Cairns said it would also act as a stimulus to encourage greater economic and business collaboration between south Wales and the south west of England, as he steps up efforts to help create a new cross- border “economic powerhouse” to rival the Northern Powerhouse.
It is estimated that the move will provide an immediate boost to the Welsh economy of £100m a year.
However, it is expected to lead to a significant rise in motorists, including freight related, using the bridges and the M4 on both sides of the border.
Mr Cairns has repeatedly called on the Welsh Government to press ahead with the proposed £1.3bn M4 Relief Road south of Newport to help alleviate growing congestion issues on the existing and ageing motorway in south Wales, particularly around the Brynglas Tunnels.
Mr Cairns said: “My number-one aim when I became Secretary of State for Wales was to do away with tolling that for half a century has restricted and distorted the growth and connections of the Welsh economy.
“Wales will be more open for business than ever after the Conservatives deliver on this commitment. Scrapping tolls before the festive period is an early Christmas present for hardworking commuters, who will be £1,400 per year better off. “This is just the start of my plan to pursue yet more growth for a stronger and a better-connected Wales.
“Scrapping the Severn tolls is an example of the Conservatives ensuring that all four nations of the UK thrive after Brexit, in doing so, transforming the joint economic prospects of south Wales and the west of England.
“The Conservative UK government is committed to providing opportunity for all – a stronger, fairer United Kingdom with real opportunity for people who work hard and do the right thing.
“This direct intervention will guarantee that links are strengthened and enhanced between the natural economic areas of south Wales and the west of England.”
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “By abolishing tolls for 25 million annual journeys between two nations the Conservatives are sending a positive, open-for-business message.
“Toll-free, free-flow journeys between both communities will drive further economic benefits to all areas surrounding the crossings and the key economic centres in Cardiff, Bath, Bristol, Newport and across to Swansea and west Wales.
“By removing a major added cost of doing business between Wales and England, the Conservatives continue to deliver on improving the economic prospects of working people. With this major step we are encouraging a close bond between two nations as part of the United Kingdom, whilst driving economic growth right across the country.”
FSB Wales policy chair Ben Francis said: “Having a date in sight for the abolition of the Severn Crossing tolls is the culmination of a long-running campaign for FSB Wales. We’re grateful that the Secretary of State has always shown enthusiastic and vocal support for this.
“Businesses in Wales can now use this date to plan for how they will exploit the advantages of the removal of the bridge tolls.
“FSB looks forward to working closely with the Secretary of State in order to develop new ideas for how SMEs canmaximise the advantages of the scrappage of the tolls.
“We want the abolition of the tolls to be only the beginning of new ways for businesses to benefit from working cross-border.”
Director of CBI Wales Ian Price said: “The CBI strongly welcomes the abolition of the tolls on the Prince of Wales bridge from the 17th of December.
“The abolition of the tolls is an early Christmas present for the people of Wales and our nation’s economy. Regular commuters can look forward to being over £1,000 better off every year and the removal of tolls will unlock an additional £100m of growth in our economy.
“The Prince of Wales bridge is a critical part of the heavily-congested M4 motorway, which underpins two thirds of Wales’ GDP.
“Business now eagerly awaits the outcome of the M4 Relief Road public inquiry and, if positive, we look to the Welsh Government to give the M4 Black Route the green light before the end of the year.”
The bridges are now under the control of Highways England having previously been run under concession by Severn Crossing Plc.
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Cardiff-based Confused.com, said: “The Severn Crossings have been money-making machines for many years. Drivers on both sides of the bridge will be celebrating after finding out tolls have been scrapped sooner than planned. While having a clear road through to Wales is welcome news, the impact on congestion remains to be seen. Especially ahead of the busy Christmas period.
“Motorists travelling between England and Wales will be among undoubtedly thousands taking advantage of the free tolls, and should plan ahead to avoid traffic as much as possible.
“The toll cut will be a small, but welcome respite for drivers, with those who commute over the bridges every day saving £1,456 each year, on average.”