Bridges are meant to unite, not obstruct
I SOMETIMES wonder if we in Wales are our own worst enemies.
The imposition of ever-increasing tolls on the Severn bridges represented a tax on those living in Wales, especially the southern counties. Every ton of goods which came across those bridges carried a levy which was an extra burden on some of the poorest areas in the UK. Successive Westminster governments granted concessions to foreign companies who were good at increasing the tolls but seemed to do little else. I remember hearing that when the suspension cables on the first bridge needed refurbishment, the cost was met by the taxpayers. Then there are the users, whose daily travel to work was subject to an extra tax of some £1,500 pa.
The congestion on the M4 started long ago at the Brynglas Tunnels, which are still contributing hugely to the problem. Many believe that Wales was shortchanged over the M4, which over a long stretch of its length is a dual carriageway with a hard shoulder. The Welsh Government has had borrowing powers for some time but the Newport bypass remains unbuilt. I was under the impression that the Senedd’s job was to rectify, as far as possible, those areas where Wales has been left out. Talk of a Metro is fine for those in the cities, but not so for the rest of us, where the last bus is 6pm with nothing on a Sunday! Bridges are meant to unite people, not to put obstacles in their way. As for the railways and the Severn Tunnel, I suppose they can always increase the fares, in which case foreign rail companies have been good at collecting! H Thomas Neath