Call made for bridge tolls to be scrapped

TOLLS on the Severn Bridges should be scrapped completely in a move that would provide an instant boost to businesses and investment flows in and out of Wales, says employers’ body the CBI.

In its General Election manifesto, CBI Wales also calls for the next UK government to give the Welsh Government early access to borrowing powers to bring forward key infrastructure projects, such as an M4 Relief Road between Cardiff and Newport.

Initially the UK Government gave to go-ahead for a £500m lending facility, but under the Wales Act 2017 that has been increased to £1bn.

CBI Wales said the UK Government needs to work closely with Welsh businesses post Brexit to ensure funding provided to take the place of lost EU structural funds in Wales is used in the best way possible to boost the economy.

And it said the UK Government needs to investigate the economic case for abolishing all tolls on the Severn Bridges.

Despite them being halved by 2018, the CBI said they impose an additional cost to the free movement of goods and people across south and west Wales.

CBI Wales director Ian Price said: “The UK’s hard-won reputation as a predictable pro-enterprise economy must be protected – the world is watching.

“A clear and powerful early signal that the next UK government is committed to growing the Welsh economy would be the abolition of Severn Bridge tolls.

“Abolishing the tolls has a cost but it could deliver an instant boost to the economy and would knit the economies of South Wales and the south-west of England even closer together, helping to share prosperity and improve competition.”

The CBI said Welsh businesses also need to benefit from the UK Government’s proposed Industrial Strategy, despite economic development being devolved.

Economy Minister Ken Skates is currently working on a new economic strategy for the Welsh Government.